Revealed: Tony Blair’s US-backed proposal for ending the Gaza war and replacing Hamas
A handout picture released by Bahrain’s official news agency shows Jared Kushner and Tony Blair at the closing session of the US-sponsored Middle East economic conference ‘Peace to Prosperity’ in Manama on 26 June 2019
Jacob Magid reports in The Times of Israel on 18 September 2024:
US President Donald Trump has authorized Tony Blair to rally regional and international stakeholders around the former UK prime minister’s proposal to establish a postwar transitional body to govern the Gaza Strip until it can be handed over to the Palestinian Authority, four sources familiar with the matter told The Times of Israel.
Blair began crafting the proposal in the early months of the war between Israel and the Hamas terror group, envisioning it as a plan for the so-called “day after.” But in recent months, the proposal has also evolved into a plan for effectively ending the war, as the Trump administration has reached the conclusion that agreement from major stakeholders regarding the body that will replace Hamas in Gaza is essential for securing a permanent ceasefire and hostage release deal, a US official and a second source familiar with the matter said.
While Blair’s involvement in postwar Gaza planning has been previously revealed, along with his participation in an August 27 White House policy session on the matter, details of his proposal have not been publicized to date.
Not a displacement plan
The proposal — a developed draft of which was obtained and authenticated by The Times of Israel — envisions the establishment of the Gaza International Transitional Authority (GITA) along with a series of subordinate structures.
Previous reporting has linked Blair to efforts aimed at displacing Palestinians from Gaza or at building a “Trump Riviera” in the Strip, but the former British premier’s actual proposal makes no mention of those ideas and even envisions the establishment of a “Property Rights Preservation Unit,” aimed at ensuring that any voluntary departure of Gazans does not compromise their right to return to the enclave or retain property ownership.
“We do not have a plan to move the Gazan population out of Gaza. Gaza is for Gazans,” said a source involved in discussions on the Blair plan