Middle East Monitor / August 30, 2024
In a move that has raised serious concerns about Israel’s long-term intentions for Gaza, the Israeli military has announced the creation of a new position: the “Chief Gaza Officer.” The role, far from being a temporary wartime measure, is designed to oversee “food, fuel and everyday life infrastructure” in the Gaza Strip for “years and years to come”, according to a senior military source speaking to YNET News.
The appointment of a Brigadier General is seen as the establishment of a de facto permanent governor for Gaza, a development that has sparked fears that Israel is planning to reoccupy the coastal enclave indefinitely, potentially completing the ethnic cleansing campaign that began during the Nakba of 1948, when 750,000 Palestinians – three quarters of Mandate Palestine’s population – were expelled from their villages.
The senior military source emphasized the long-term nature of the role, stating: “This is not a project manager, this is a role that we’ll keep for some years to come, years and years. Anyone who thinks that Israeli control and involvement in the Strip will soon conclude depending on the intensity of the fighting, or on a hostage deal – is wrong.”
Critics argue that this move represents a clear intention to maintain control over Gaza’s civilian affairs for the foreseeable future. The Chief Gaza Officer’s responsibilities will include overseeing humanitarian aid, coordinating civilian issues, and potentially managing the controlled return of refugees to Gaza City and reconstruction projects.
The appointment comes amidst ongoing Israeli military operations in Gaza that have resulted in widespread destruction and loss of life. Nearly 41,000 Palestinians have been killed since 7 October, mostly women and children, in a military offensive that has seen more death and destruction than any other war in the 21st century. Israel is under investigation by the International Court of Justice for genocide.
Human rights organizations and Palestinian advocates have expressed alarm at this development, viewing it as further evidence of Israel’s intent to maintain long-term control over Gaza, effectively annexing the territory and denying Palestinians their right to self-determination.
