Washington is floating a Tony Blair–headed international authority for Gaza’s future, sidelining Hamas but leaving dangerous ambiguity over eventual Palestinian Authority control.
The Biden White House, with backing from President Donald Trump, is moving forward on a controversial post-war Gaza blueprint that would place former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair at the helm of a temporary international governing authority.
According to Israeli political sources speaking to Haaretz, the plan envisions a multi-year UN-mandated body to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and day-to-day administration. Crucially, a foreign security force would also be stationed in the Strip to police the borders and prevent Hamas from rebuilding its terror infrastructure.
Yet, the initiative carries a glaring risk: it leaves open a path for the Palestinian Authority (PA)—long discredited and weak—to eventually assume control of Gaza. An Arab source admitted the timeline for this handover is vague, warning: “There is concern Netanyahu will use this ambiguity to block PA involvement in Gaza.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer remain firmly opposed to PA governance in Gaza. As one Israeli official bluntly put it: “The PA is a complex entity. I don’t see it taking any official responsibility.”
Israel, however, does not oppose the deployment of an international force under Blair’s leadership—a key compromise showing Jerusalem’s pragmatic approach. Blair himself participated in a high-level Gaza policy meeting chaired by Trump last month.
The proposal is expected to dominate discussions at the Netanyahu-Trump summit in Washington on Monday, a meeting described by Israeli officials as “important.”
At a press conference with Turkey’s Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Trump confirmed: “An international effort is underway to end the Gaza hostilities and secure a hostage deal. We want to get the hostages back. I have to get the hostages back.”
Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff voiced confidence that a breakthrough could come within days, though he declined to share specifics.
🇮🇱 Israel’s Bottom Line:
For Jerusalem, any future plan must guarantee Hamas’s eradication, prevent PA corruption from taking root in Gaza, and ensure Israeli security is never compromised. Blair’s international stewardship may buy time—but the danger lies in leaving Gaza’s fate to weak hands.
