Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is reportedly moving forward with a plan to establish an international authority to govern Gaza after the end of Israeli military occupation, with backing from former U.S. President Donald Trump, according to The Times.
Blair, authorised by Trump, has been reaching out to Arab leaders to build support for his proposal to create a “Gaza International Transitional Authority” (GITA). The initiative aims to manage Gaza during a postwar transitional period while ensuring that Palestinian citizens retain their existing land rights.
The discussions were facilitated by Jared Kushner, Trump’s former Middle East adviser and son-in-law, who organised a meeting between Blair and Trump at the White House in late August. Sources told The Times of Israel that Trump expressed clear support for Blair’s plan and instructed him to secure regional backing, including from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The proposed GITA would act as the supreme political and legal authority in Gaza temporarily. Its board would consist of seven to ten members, including at least one Palestinian representative and strong Muslim representation to bolster cultural and regional legitimacy. The board would oversee legislation, appointments, and strategic direction for the territory’s reconstruction. An executive protection unit, staffed by elite personnel from Arab and international contributors, would safeguard the leadership.
Under the plan, an executive secretariat would function as the administrative and implementation arm of GITA, supervising a committee of independent Palestinian technocrats responsible for running Gaza after the conflict. Eventually, governance would transition to the Palestinian Authority, contingent on performance-based benchmarks.
A source familiar with the initiative emphasised, “Gaza is for Gazans, with no displacement of the population. We do not support or endorse any proposal that involves the displacement of Gazans.”
Blair has reportedly held discussions with key regional leaders, including Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, with Gulf states encouraging Abbas’ participation. Trump, while privately endorsing the initiative, has yet to make a public statement supporting it.
The plan marks a shift from Trump’s earlier suggestions to relocate Gazans and transform the territory into a so-called “Riviera of the Middle East,” aiming instead for stability, reconstruction, and local governance under international oversight.
If implemented, the GITA proposal could play a pivotal role in postwar Gaza, combining international oversight with Palestinian self-determination and offering a framework for long-term peace and rebuilding.
