US Backs Tony Blair to Lead Gaza Interim Authority Post-War

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is being considered to lead an interim governing authority in the Gaza Strip, a plan supported by the US administration and key allies of President Donald Trump. This Gaza International Transitional Authority (GITA) would act as the supreme political and legal body for up to five years, initially headquartered in Egypt's el-Arish before moving into Gaza with a UN-backed multinational Arab force. The plan, modeled on international administrations in Kosovo and East Timor, aims for the eventual reunification of Gaza with the West Bank under a reformed Palestinian Authority, excluding Hamas from governance. Despite Blair's involvement in Middle East peace efforts and strong ties with Gulf leaders, his past, including support for the Iraq War, provokes significant opposition among Palestinians. The US and international actors have presented this proposal to several countries at the UN General Assembly, with the White House emphasizing that there would be no forced displacement of Gaza’s population. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas supports the Palestinian Authority assuming full responsibilities post-conflict, while Trump has ruled out Israeli annexation of the West Bank.