Tony Blair in Talks to Establish Transitional Governance in Gaza

Sat Oct 11 2025 06:00:05 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is reportedly in discussions to lead a transitional authority in Gaza, backed by the White House and supported by the UN and Gulf countries, aiming to stabilize the region post-conflict.

Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair is in discussions to potentially head a transitional authority in Gaza as part of a comprehensive post-war governance plan. Backed by the White House and involving support from the UN and Gulf nations, the proposal would seek to establish a governing body known as the Gaza International Transitional Authority (GITA). The authority aims to stabilize Gaza before transitioning control back to its Palestinian residents. This plan closely mirrors international governance models used in East Timor and Kosovo. Blair has expressed that he would not back any proposals that would displace the Gaza populace.

Former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair has been involved in discussions about leading a post-war transitional authority in Gaza, according to reports. The proposal, which reportedly has backing from the White House, would see Blair at the helm of a governing authority supported by the UN and Gulf nations, with the intent to hand control back to the people of Gaza.

His office has clarified that he would not endorse any proposal that results in the displacement of Gaza's population. As part of high-level planning talks with the US and other stakeholders, Blair, known for taking the UK into the Iraq War in 2003, is discussing the future governance of Gaza.

Reports indicate that Blair could lead a body called the Gaza International Transitional Authority (GITA), which is expected to pursue a UN mandate to assume 'supreme political and legal authority' for a period of five years. This plan would be modeled after similar international administrations that helped oversaw the transitions of East Timor and Kosovo. Initially based in Egypt, the authority could move into Gaza as stability is restored, feasibly accompanied by a multinational force.

This initiative follows Blair's participation in a White House meeting focused on Gaza's plans, which US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff described as 'very comprehensive.' Although details of the proposals discussed remain largely undisclosed, they have sparked conversations about the political future of the region.

In recent developments, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed openness to collaborating with Trump and other leaders to implement a two-state peace plan, simultaneously rejecting any governing role for Hamas in Gaza and urging its disarmament.

The discussions around Gaza have intensified in the wake of ongoing military actions and humanitarian crises in the region. As various stakeholders present their visions for Gaza's future, the international community continues to advocate for a two-state solution that would establish an independent Palestinian state alongside Israel.

While proposals for post-war governance continue to evolve, previous suggestions, including those from Donald Trump, which involved 'long-term ownership' of Gaza, have faced widespread criticism for their implications on Palestinian displacement and rights.

In a broader context, the UK recently recognized the State of Palestine, joining others like France and Australia. This acknowledgment is part of continued calls for renewed diplomatic efforts aimed at establishing peace between Israelis and Palestinians.

The situation remains fluid, and as discussions unfold, the priority remains to ensure that any governance in Gaza respects the rights and presence of its people.