In a recent interview, former UN special rapporteur Michael Lynk shed light on the reality of Israel’s control over the besieged enclave of Gaza. The discussion comes in response to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s comments suggesting that the Israeli military could control security in Gaza “for an indefinite period” after the war with Hamas ends. The United States government, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken, has warned Israel against any “reoccupation” of Gaza.
While the Israeli government claims that its occupation of Gaza ended in 2005, Lynk argues that Gaza remains occupied based on the test of “effective control” in international law. He compares it to guards leaving a prison but still maintaining control over crucial aspects of the inmates’ lives. Lynk asserts that Israel exercises effective control over who and what enters and leaves Gaza.
The US government’s use of the term “reoccupation” reflects a tactical debate between the US and Israel regarding the post-war situation in Gaza. Lynk suggests that the US may not take the position that Gaza is occupied, and recent administrations have avoided using the term “occupation” when referring to Palestine. However, he acknowledges the US’s concerns about Israeli military authority in Gaza after the conflict ends.
Differences arise between the US and Israel in their views of what will happen after the war in Gaza. Israel argues that they need to remain in Gaza temporarily to eradicate Hamas’s military presence. On the other hand, the US, along with countries in the Global North, prefers an international administration involving troops on the ground and a reconstruction fund to rebuild Gaza. This option aims to establish governance capacity and eventually hand over control to the Palestinian Authority.
Looking ahead, Lynk outlines two possibilities. The first is a direct Israeli military administration in Gaza, but he believes this is unlikely to succeed due to potential backlash and high costs for Israeli soldiers. The second option, favored by the US and countries in the Global North, involves an international administration taking charge, eventually transitioning to Palestinian Authority control. However, Lynk highlights the challenges the Palestinian Authority faces in accepting such a role without guarantees for the end of the occupation in East Jerusalem and the West Bank.
Lynk expresses skepticism about the Biden administration’s ability to exert enough political clout to bring about substantive agreements for an independent Palestinian state. He believes the chances of creating a contiguous state with an end to settlements and a Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem are slim. This interview provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics surrounding the Israeli occupation of Gaza and the potential future of the region.
