Blueprint for the ‘Day After’: How Trump, Tony Blair plan to rebuild Gaza without Hamas

In a high-profile closed-door meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, US President Donald Trump unveiled a plan reportedly aimed at ending the Gaza war, freeing the remaining captives, and laying the groundwork for a post-Hamas Gaza governed by a transitional authority.

The meeting, described by Trump himself as “my most important”, brought together leaders and top officials from eight key Arab and Muslim-majority nations, signaling a potentially dramatic shift in the region’s trajectory.

The gathering, which included Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Indonesia, and Pakistan, was part of an ambitious US push to secure a regional consensus for a new vision for Gaza, one rooted in both immediate conflict resolution and long-term governance solutions.

According to two Arab diplomats who spoke to "The Times of Israel" and other Hebrew media outlets, the plan blends Trump’s own ceasefire strategy with a detailed post-war governance proposal crafted by former British prime minister Tony Blair.

What Happened in the Room: “We’re Going to End the War”

The meeting, held on Tuesday behind closed doors, was described by participants as “very fruitful,” with several leaders publicly expressing optimism afterward. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he was “pleased” with the outcomes and confirmed that a joint declaration would soon be released.

Emirati state media WAM echoed that the talks centered on achieving a permanent ceasefire, releasing captives, and addressing Gaza’s worsening humanitarian crisis.

Trump struck a determined tone before the press was ushered out of the room.

“We want to end the war in Gaza. We’re going to end it. Maybe we can end it right now,” he said. “This is my most important meeting… because we’re going to end something that should have probably never started.”

In the meeting, the US president also praised Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto’s earlier address to the UN General Assembly, in which Subianto emphasized that lasting peace must include guarantees of 'Israel’s' security.

While 'Israel' was notably absent from the meeting, Trump hinted that engagement with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would follow, referencing his planned meeting with Netanyahu at the White House on Monday. “All the big players except for Israel — but that’s going to be next,” Trump said.

The Core of Trump’s Plan: Ceasefire, Captive Release, and Gaza’s Future

According to Arab diplomats cited by Hebrew media, Trump’s plan is built around several key pillars:

1. Immediate Ceasefire and Captive Release
Trump’s roadmap envisions a ceasefire lasting several weeks, during which all 48 remaining captives held by Hamas would be released. This component, officials say, is seen as a crucial first step toward de-escalation and trust-building among the parties.

2. Humanitarian Surge
The ceasefire period would be accompanied by a large-scale humanitarian aid push into Gaza, coordinated with regional partners to address urgent needs after months of devastating conflict.

3. No 'Israeli' Reoccupation or Settlement Expansion
The position paper presented by the Arab states underscored their categorical rejection of several potential 'Israeli' moves: continued military operations in Gaza, reoccupation of the Strip, establishment of settlements there, forced displacement of Palestinians, prevention of return for those who fled, annexation of the West Bank, and changes to the status quo at Jerusalem’s holy sites.

4. A Post-Hamas Gaza Under Transitional Governance
Perhaps the most significant element of Trump’s vision is the plan for Gaza’s governance after Hamas, a proposal that closely mirrors a blueprint developed by Tony Blair and now officially endorsed by Washington.

The Blair Blueprint: A Gaza International Transitional Authority (GITA)

Revealed for the first time by Hebrew media and The Times of Israel, Tony Blair’s proposal outlines a detailed plan for Gaza’s “day after”, one that now forms the backbone of Trump’s comprehensive approach.

A Transitional Authority to Replace Hamas

At the heart of Blair’s plan is the creation of the Gaza International Transitional Authority (GITA), a temporary governing body that would manage the enclave in the aftermath of the conflict until authority can be transferred to a reformed Palestinian Authority (PA).

Sources say Blair has been working on the proposal since the early months of the war, initially focusing on post-war governance but later expanding it to include mechanisms for ending the war itself. The Trump administration has concluded that reaching agreement among major stakeholders on who governs Gaza post-Hamas is essential for both a lasting ceasefire and a captive release deal.

“Gaza is for Gazans”

Contrary to earlier speculation linking Blair to controversial displacement schemes or a so-called “Trump Riviera” in Gaza, the draft plan allegedly contains no such proposals. It reportedly explicitly includes a “Property Rights Preservation Unit” to safeguard the rights of displaced Gazans and ensure that any voluntary departures do not forfeit their right to return or retain property.

“We do not have a plan to move the Gazan population out of Gaza. Gaza is for Gazans,” said a source involved in the discussions.

Kushner’s Role and the US Strategy Shift

The involvement of Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and former senior adviser, has been pivotal. According to US officials, Kushner commissioned Blair’s think tank, the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), to develop the transitional authority plan earlier this year. Blair has since held extensive consultations across the region, including a July meeting with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas in Amman, facilitated by Gulf states.

While the PA has insisted on a direct leadership role in postwar Gaza, Blair’s proposal envisions a more limited involvement focused on coordination. Still, it explicitly calls for the eventual unification of all Palestinian territories under the PA, a vision long opposed by 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Despite Netanyahu’s known resistance, 'Israeli' officials have engaged “constructively” with Blair’s effort, though Arab diplomats warn of Netanyahu’s pattern of stalling sensitive initiatives to placate his far-right coalition.

A Unified Arab Response, With Clear Red Lines

Ahead of the meeting, the eight participating countries coordinated a joint position paper outlining their stance. According to Hebrew media reports, the document:

• Welcomes Trump’s comprehensive proposal to end the war in Gaza.
• Stresses the urgency of securing captive releases, halting hostilities, and facilitating humanitarian access.
• Commits to contributing to a peaceful, Trump-led solution for the region.
• Condemns 'Israeli' actions, including continued military operations, settlement expansion, forced displacement, and strikes beyond Gaza, such as the recent attack on Hamas leaders in Qatar.

What Comes Next: Awaiting the White House Statement

As of Wednesday, the White House was preparing an official statement on the meeting but was awaiting final approval of the wording from all participating countries. That statement, officials say, will outline the shared commitment to Trump’s plan and signal the start of a new diplomatic push aimed at ending one of the most intractable conflicts in the Middle East.

While no breakthrough was announced immediately after the meeting, signs of optimism were evident. Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff flashed a thumbs-up when asked about the outcome, and Erdoğan hinted that a joint declaration was forthcoming.