Former British prime minister Tony Blair is understood to be in discussions about heading a transitional administration in Gaza once the war between Israel and Hamas ends.
Reports suggest Blair has proposed leading an interim governing body—tentatively called the Gaza International Transitional Authority (Gita)—before transferring power to the Palestinian Authority (PA).
The plan, drawn up by the Tony Blair Institute, is said to have the backing of U.S. president Donald Trump and senior Washington figures, including Jared Kushner and presidential envoy Steve Witkoff.
Gita would be established under a United Nations mandate and act as Gaza’s “supreme political and legal authority” for several years.
Modelled on international administrations in East Timor and Kosovo, it could initially be based in Egypt before moving into the Gaza Strip once conditions stabilise.
Blair’s office has insisted that he would not endorse any proposal that involved the displacement of Palestinians.
Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas has declared that the PA is “ready” to take on governance and security responsibilities in Gaza, though his advisers have voiced concern that Blair’s plan risks being viewed as a foreign occupation.
Israel has opposed any PA role but is reported to have engaged “constructively” with the proposals.
Blair, who led Britain into the Iraq War in 2003, served as Middle East envoy for the Quartet of international powers (the U.S., EU, Russia, and the UN) after leaving Downing Street in 2007.
