White House backs plan for former UK PM Tony Blair to lead Gaza transitional authority

The White House is reportedly backing a detailed proposal that would install former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair as the head of a temporary international administration for the Gaza Strip, charged with governing the territory and overseeing reconstruction in a "post-conflict scenario".

The plan, which has been in development through the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), envisions the creation of the Gaza International Transitional Authority (GITA). GITA would serve as the "supreme political and legal authority" for a transitional period of up to five years, replacing Hamas and eventually transferring control to a reformed Palestinian Authority (PA). 

Trump's Endorsement and Coalition

The proposal was presented to President Donald Trump during a late August meeting by his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Trump has reportedly endorsed the idea, viewing it as a potential pathway to a permanent ceasefire and the release of remaining 'Israeli' captives.

The plan's viability is seen as dependent on securing support from key regional players, particularly Saudi Arabia, which has conditioned its involvement on a clear path to Palestinian statehood.

The proposed GITA structure would be established under the auspices of a UN Security Council resolution and governed by a board of 7–10 members.

This board would include senior UN officials, international business figures, and crucial "strong representation of Muslim members," alongside at least one qualified Palestinian representative.

Controversy and Conditions

Blair's potential involvement has sparked intense controversy, given his widely criticized role in the 2003 Iraq War. Furthermore, the plan faces significant political hurdles:

• Opposition from Extremists: The proposal is designed to dismantle Hamas and has met opposition from within Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right coalition, which fears international oversight would constrain 'Israel's' military freedom in Gaza.
• PA Involvement: While the plan envisions the "eventual unifying of all the Palestinian territory under the PA," its initial phase limits the PA’s role primarily to coordination, a lack of specificity that has raised concerns about indefinite delays to Palestinian self-governance.
• No Displacement: The proposal explicitly rejects the forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and includes a "Property Rights Preservation Unit" to safeguard the right of return and property ownership for those voluntarily displaced, a key point designed to alleviate fears stoked by previous, unverified "Trump Riviera" rumors.

The GITA plan is one of several proposals circulating in diplomatic circles, but its backing by the White House and the direct involvement of Blair make it one of the most significant blueprints for the "day after" the war.