Blair seeks international support for Trump-backed Gaza plan

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, whose Gaza plan is supported by US President Donald Trump, is working to bring international actors together to establish a temporary authority to govern the region before it is handed over to the Palestinian Authority.

According to a report by The Times of Israel, four sources familiar with the matter stated that Trump has given Blair the green light to take on a role in this process.

Blair, who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during the 2003 Iraq War, has recently been associated with plans from his namesake institute regarding the removal of Palestinians from Gaza. Blair also attended a meeting on Gaza at the White House on August 27. A previously discussed Gaza plan, which also mentioned the Blair Institute, was linked to the idea of displacing Palestinians or building a “Trump Riviera” in Gaza. However, the latest draft obtained by The Times of Israel reportedly does not include such ideas; in fact, it envisions the establishment of a special unit to protect the property rights of Gazans who choose to leave voluntarily.

It was noted that Trump had supported the idea of “voluntary migration” for Gaza’s population in February but later distanced himself from it, adopting Blair’s plan at the August 27 White House meeting.

The August 27 meeting was organized by Trump’s son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Kushner, who served as a senior advisor during Trump’s first term, is said to still be advising US special representative Steve Witkoff.

According to a US official, Kushner asked the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) this spring to develop a plan for post-war Gaza, leveraging its existing involvement in the process through relationships with Israeli, Palestinian Authority, and Arab leaders. Sources indicate that Blair maintained regular contact with the Trump administration while meeting with regional leaders, sharing progress as the plan’s details took shape.

Blair’s proposal includes a “Gaza International Transitional Authority” (GITA), to be established by a United Nations Security Council resolution. This body would serve as the highest political and legal authority in Gaza during the transition period. The 7-10 member board would include a Palestinian representative, UN officials, international experts, and Muslim members.

The plan also calls for the appointment of five commissioners responsible for humanitarian affairs, reconstruction, law, security, and coordination with the Palestinian Authority. Services such as health, education, finance, and infrastructure would be managed by a Palestinian Executive Authority (PEA), composed of professional technocrats.

Blair’s plan also includes the establishment of a multinational “International Stability Force” (ISF) with an international mandate to prevent Hamas from regaining power. This force would be responsible for securing borders, preventing arms smuggling, and supporting local police forces.

The draft also outlines the creation of a Gaza Investment and Development Authority to attract investment for the reconstruction of Gaza. The budget is projected to be $90 million in the first year, $135 million in the second, and $164 million in the third. These figures do not include ISF and humanitarian aid expenditures.

Although the Ramallah administration wants direct control over Gaza, Blair’s plan largely limits the Palestinian Authority to a coordinating role. Nevertheless, the plan is reportedly considered “constructive.” The draft notes that its ultimate goal is the unification of all Palestinian territories under the Palestinian Authority.

However, Arab countries, particularly Saudi Arabia, have emphasized that their support is contingent on the process leading irreversibly to a Palestinian state.

According to US officials, Trump instructed Blair at the August 27 meeting to persuade Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. However, Blair’s efforts were complicated by the US imposing a visa ban on Palestinian Authority officials and Israel targeting Hamas leaders in Doha during the same period. Sources state that talks have resumed but that there is very limited time to implement the plan: “We don’t have months or weeks, only days.”

While the Israeli side is officially participating in the process, sources warn that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may undermine the initiative due to his coalition’s dynamics.