The Enduring Occupation: Israel's Presence in Gaza

Former UN expert Michael Lynk argues that the Israeli occupation of Gaza never ended, as Israel continues to exercise effective control over the territory. While the US opposes Israel's "reoccupation" of Gaza, it is unclear if they consider Gaza to be currently occupied. Lynk suggests that there are two possibilities for the future of Gaza: either Israel maintains a direct military administration, which is unlikely to succeed, or an international administration led by the Arab world or the United Nations takes over, with the goal of rebuilding Gaza and eventually handing over governance to the Palestinian Authority. However, Lynk believes that the chances of achieving an independent Palestinian state are slim, as the Biden administration lacks the political clout to force Israel into substantive agreements.