The Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth revealed ongoing behind-the-scenes talks for months to appoint Palestinian businessman Samir Hulileh as governor of the Gaza Strip.

The paper quoted participants in these efforts as saying that the plan involves bringing someone into Gaza under the auspices of the Arab League, who would be acceptable to both Israel and the United States, paving the way for the “day after” in Gaza.

Hulileh is a Palestinian businessman who previously served as Secretary-General of Ahmed Qurei’s third government and was Chairman of the Board of the Palestine Securities Exchange until March of this year.