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![Samir Hulileh, potential new leader of Gaza. [Photo: Facebook]](https://img.turkiyetoday.com/images/2025/8/12/samir-hulileh-new-gaza-governor-name-according-to-controversial-israeli-lobbyist-3205374.jpg)
The Israeli investigative website Shomrim (“The Guards”) Tuesday ongoing Israeli attempts in recent months to install a new administration in the Gaza Strip during covert operations. In line with these efforts, the name of Palestinian businessman Samir Hulileh came up as governor of post-war Gaza.
The newspaper, citing documents submitted to the U.S. Department of Justice, reported that the plan involves appointing a leader in Gaza, someone acceptable to the Arab League, Israel, and the United States. The plan is to form a new regime in the "day-after" Gaza.
Reportedly, several parties are carrying out efforts to promote Hulileh, notably a controversial lobby headed by an Israeli named Ari Ben-Menashe, who operates from Canada.
Some news outlets have described the proposal as "a suspicious Israeli initiative." The reports highlighted that Ari Ben-Menashe—who is linked to the project—is known for working as a lobbyist for various controversial clients.
Those clients include Robert Mugabe, Myanmar’s military, and regimes in Kyrgyzstan, Congo, Burkina Faso, Sudan, and others.
In an interview with the Palestinian radio station Ajyal on Tuesday morning, Hulileh said that several parties are behind the bid to appoint him and that the idea of appointing a new governor for Gaza had been discussed with various American, Saudi, and Egyptian actors.
“The proposal to appoint me as a civilian governor for post-war Gaza dates back about six months, but it was reaffirmed today,” Hulileh stated.
Hulileh further added that in July 2024, he was contacted by a Canadian contractor working with the U.S. administration and the Pentagon. The contractor told him that their goal at the time was to identify figures who could serve as a "point of contact" between Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Hamas, Egypt and other key players in the region.
A senior official in the Palestinian presidency said on Tuesday that Israeli media claims about appointing a Palestinian figure to run Gaza with the knowledge of the Palestinian leadership were “untrue.”
The official, quoted by the official Palestinian news agency Wafa, stressed that the only body authorized to manage the Gaza Strip is the State of Palestine, represented by the government or its agreed-upon administrative committee.
He warned that “any engagement with other arrangements is a deviation from the national position and aligns with Israel’s aim to separate Gaza from the West Bank and displace its residents,” affirming that Gaza is an inseparable part of Palestinian territory.
Hulileh, who resides in Ramallah, studied and specialized in economics and is considered a prominent political and economic figure within the Palestinian Authority.
His resume includes senior positions in the Authority alongside an extensive network of business connections. In 2005, he served as Secretary-General of the Palestinian government, then as Deputy Minister of Economy and Trade and Chairman of the Board of the Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute.
Later, he was a board member of the Palestinian Trade Center and CEO of PADICO—the largest holding company in Palestinian Authority territories. He also served as the chairman of the Palestine Stock Exchange.
Hulileh is known for his close ties to Palestinian-American billionaire Bashar Masri, founder of the Palestinian city of Rawabi, and for maintaining good relations with the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump.
'Not a political figure'
Hulileh explained that the moment the idea was presented to him, he promptly informed President Mahmoud Abbas, as the legitimate Palestinian authority. He clarified that the matter was discussed with the president three or four times, with several proposed projects presented.
In response to a question about his stance on entering a power struggle, Hulileh said, “I am not the one to decide; I am not a leader of the Palestinian people. This is the responsibility of the national authority. For me, I am assigned a task, and if the authority approves, I agree because I am simply carrying it out.”
He insisted that he is not a political figure and clarified that he will not be an elected official.
“If the Palestinian Authority says ‘take charge,’ I will take charge,” he added, describing his role as someone "who will be used to manage the project."
'Will only accept mission with comprehensive plan'
Hulileh emphasized that his acceptance of the Gaza administration project is dependent on official approval from the Palestinian Authority and the establishment of a clear, structured framework.
This includes guarantees that crossings will remain open for the continuous entry of humanitarian aid, stressing that without such guarantees, the project would be pointless.
Several Arab and regional countries have raised objections to the project, arguing that the relationships with the involved parties are neither proper nor sufficient to ensure its success.
When asked whether Israel has approved his appointment, Hulileh stated that Israel has not yet officially given its consent.
He added that Israel was not formally asked for approval, noting that this is part of the project that does not necessarily depend on Israel’s consent.
Hulileh also clarified that he has not responded to any invitations extended to him to visit the White House.
He stated that "the Arab Quartet Committee is the executive arm of the Arab Summit's decisions regarding Gaza, and Palestinian police forces must fill the vacuum after the Israeli army’s withdrawal, potentially supported by Arab forces."
Hulileh concluded that "Trump is expected to announce this evening the start of final-stage negotiations to end the war, including a full prisoner exchange and a complete withdrawal of the Israeli army."
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