What's happened
As of late September 2025, former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is spearheading a US-backed plan to establish the Gaza International Transitional Authority (GITA), a UN-endorsed interim government for Gaza excluding Hamas and initially sidelining the Palestinian Authority. The plan aims to stabilize Gaza post-conflict, prevent forced displacement, and eventually unify Palestinian territories under the PA, amid Israeli opposition and ongoing regional tensions.
What's behind the headline?
The Blair Plan: A Contested Path to Gaza's Future
The proposal to establish the Gaza International Transitional Authority (GITA) under Tony Blair's leadership represents a significant shift in postwar governance strategy for Gaza. It attempts to balance international oversight with eventual Palestinian Authority (PA) control, excluding Hamas entirely. This approach reflects a compromise between US and Israeli interests and broader international demands.
Key Dynamics and Challenges
- Israeli Opposition: Prime Minister Netanyahu and far-right cabinet members reject any role for the PA and oppose Palestinian statehood, complicating the plan's implementation.
- Palestinian Skepticism: Hamas outright rejects the plan, emphasizing that no Palestinian faction should be dismantled without consent. The PA has yet to see the full proposal but expresses willingness to engage.
- International Oversight: The plan envisions a multinational stabilization force and a UN Security Council-backed authority, aiming to prevent armed group resurgence and ensure border security.
- Property and Population Rights: The inclusion of a Property Rights Preservation Unit aims to protect Gazans' rights amid fears of forced displacement, a critical humanitarian concern.
Political and Regional Implications
The plan's ambiguity on the timeline for PA control and Blair's controversial legacy, especially in the Arab world, pose significant hurdles. Arab states demand clear commitments to Palestinian self-determination before supporting international peacekeeping forces. Meanwhile, Israeli settlement expansion and rhetoric about Gaza's division threaten the plan's viability.
Forecast
The GITA plan will likely face protracted negotiations and resistance from key stakeholders. Its success depends on reconciling Israeli security concerns, Palestinian political legitimacy, and regional diplomatic pressures. Without clear timelines and inclusive consultation, the plan risks entrenching external control and prolonging Gaza's instability.
What the papers say
Patrick Wintour in The Guardian outlines the plan's structure, noting Blair would head a seven to ten-member board governing Gaza for up to five years, with a multinational force ensuring security. Wintour highlights the plan's model on Timor-Leste and Kosovo transitions and the controversy Blair's involvement sparks due to his Iraq War legacy. Bel Trew in The Independent emphasizes the plan's principle that "Gaza is for Gazans," rejecting forced displacement and detailing the proposed Property Rights Preservation Unit. Trew also reports Hamas's rejection and the PA's cautious openness. The New York Post reveals Netanyahu's firm opposition to PA involvement and Israel's insistence on retaining control postwar, contrasting with Trump's plan for gradual PA expansion. Al Jazeera and The New Arab provide context on the devastating impact of the conflict and the UN's findings of Israeli actions amounting to genocide, underscoring the humanitarian crisis underpinning the political proposals. The Times of Israel notes Blair's early involvement and the plan's evolution into a tool for ending the war and securing hostage releases. These sources collectively illustrate the complex interplay of international diplomacy, regional politics, and humanitarian concerns shaping Gaza's uncertain future.
How we got here
The Gaza Strip has been devastated by a prolonged conflict since October 2023, with over 65,000 Palestinians killed and widespread destruction. Israel seeks to dismantle Hamas control, while the Palestinian Authority remains sidelined. The international community, led by the US and supported by Tony Blair, proposes a transitional administration to govern Gaza and pave a path toward Palestinian statehood.
Go deeper
- What is the Gaza International Transitional Authority?
- Why is Tony Blair involved in Gaza's future?
- How are Palestinians reacting to the plan?
Common question
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What is the current situation in Gaza?
The Gaza conflict has escalated significantly, with reports of widespread destruction and ongoing violence. Recent reports detail Israel's extensive demolition of infrastructure, accusations of systematic violence, and efforts to establish new governance structures like the Gaza International Transitional Authority (GITA). Many are asking what this means for the future of Gaza, how the international community is responding, and what the latest developments are. Below, we answer some of the most common questions about the current state of Gaza and the broader Middle East conflict.
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What is the US-supported Gaza transition plan and how will it shape the future of Palestinian territories?
The ongoing conflict in Gaza has prompted international efforts to establish a new governance framework. The US supports a plan led by Tony Blair to create a temporary administration in Gaza, aiming for eventual Palestinian unification. But what does this mean for the region, and how are different parties reacting? Below, we explore the key questions surrounding this complex and evolving situation.
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What is Tony Blair's role in Gaza's future?
As the situation in Gaza continues to evolve, international efforts are focusing on establishing a new interim government to stabilize the region. Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair has taken a leading role in this process, spearheading a US-backed plan to create the Gaza International Transitional Authority (GITA). But what exactly does his involvement mean for Gaza's future? Below, we explore Blair's role, the international efforts at play, and what this could mean for the region's stability.
More on these topics
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Anthony Charles Lynton Blair is a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1997 to 2007 and Leader of the Labour Party from 1994 to 2007.
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The Palestinian National Authority is the interim self-government body established in 1994 following the Gaza–Jericho Agreement to govern the Gaza Strip and Areas A and B of the West Bank, as a consequence of the 1993 Oslo Accords.
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Benjamin Netanyahu is an Israeli politician serving as Prime Minister of Israel since 2009, and previously from 1996 to 1999. Netanyahu is also the Chairman of the Likud – National Liberal Movement.
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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Gaza most commonly refers to:
Gaza Strip, a Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea
Gaza City, a city in the Gaza Strip
Gaza may also refer to:
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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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Bezalel Yoel Smotrich is an Israeli politician. The leader of Tkuma, he is currently a member of the Knesset for the Yamina alliance.
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.