Former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair has put forward a £300 million blueprint to govern and stabilise Gaza, outlining the creation of a transitional authority with sweeping powers, international backing and a large security infrastructure.
The proposal, obtained by the Daily Mail, centres on the creation of the Gaza International Transitional Authority (GITA), which Blair is reportedly seeking to chair. The plan would make him Gaza’s chief international representative, responsible for co-ordinating security with Israel, Egypt and the United States, and serving as the escalation point on sensitive political decisions.
Under the draft framework, GITA would initially operate from El-Arish in Egypt, supported by “policy hubs” in Amman and Cairo, before shifting into Gaza itself by the third year. Blair would be supported by a 25-member “Strategic Secretariat” forming a crisis “war room” designed for rapid analysis, co-ordination and diplomatic messaging.
Security provisions include an Executive Protection Unit (EPU) tasked with providing “close protection” for Blair, international leaders and visiting officials. Staffed by elite personnel from Arab and international contributors, the EPU would be trained for rapid extraction and emergency incident response.
The wider security framework would include a newly established Palestinian Civil Police force “nationally recruited and internationally vetted” to maintain public order, alongside an International Stabilisation Force (ISF). This multinational unit would guard Gaza’s borders, prevent arms smuggling, carry out counterterror operations and safeguard reconstruction efforts. Oversight would be co-ordinated through a Joint Security Coordination Centre.
The plan outlines annual budgets of £67 million, £99 million and £122 million over its first three years, totalling almost £300 million before factoring in the reconstruction of Gaza.
The proposal has been factored into Donald Trump’s 21-point Gaza peace plan, which has drawn backing from some Arab states. Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not dismissed the scheme. However, Palestinian leaders have expressed concerns.
Critics point to Britain’s colonial role in the region and Blair’s association with the Iraq War. Mustafa Barghouti of the Palestinian National Initiative said: “We’ve been under British colonialism already. He has a negative reputation here. If you mention Tony Blair, the first thing people mention is the Iraq War.”
The Palestinian Authority (PA), which governs parts of the West Bank, also opposes external administration, insisting it should oversee Gaza despite its low popularity among Gazans.
GITA’s board would include up to 10 members nominated by contributing states, at least one Palestinian representative, a senior UN figure, and international experts. The plan stresses that Muslim representation is vital for regional legitimacy and credibility, and that GITA’s decisions must align with the PA to pave the way for eventual political unification.
The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change has not commented publicly on the reported proposals.
