## Washington Supports Plan for Tony Blair to Lead Post-Conflict Gaza Authority
Washington is reportedly backing a plan that would see Tony Blair appointed to head a transitional authority in Gaza following the conclusion of the current conflict. The proposal, outlined in documents seen by *The Guardian*, envisions a multi-layered governance structure designed to rebuild Gaza and ultimately integrate it under Palestinian Authority (PA) control.
Under the plan, a Palestinian Authority coordination commissioner would be appointed to “ensure that the decisions of Gita [the proposed governing body] and those of the PA are, so far as possible, aligned and consistent with the eventual unifying of all the Palestinian territory under the PA.” This commissioner would also monitor PA reform efforts in collaboration with international donors, financial institutions, and Arab partners involved in Palestinian institutional development.
A separate Palestinian Executive Authority (PEA) would be established to directly deliver services to Gazans “through a nonpartisan, professional governance.” the PEA, headed by a CEO appointed by the Gita board, would oversee technocratic ministries covering key areas such as health, education, finance, infrastructure, judicial affairs, and welfare.The PEA would also receive reports from Gaza municipalities responsible for local service delivery, a Gaza civil police force comprised of “nationally recruited, professionally vetted and nonpartisan” officers, and a judicial board chaired by an Arab jurist overseeing Gaza’s courts and public prosecution office. A “Property Rights Preservation Unit” would be created to safeguard the rights of Palestinians who may voluntarily depart Gaza during reconstruction, ensuring their ability to return or retain property ownership.
The plan comes as Mahmoud Abbas, the PA president, stated at the UN General Assembly on Thursday that Hamas would have no role in the postwar governance of Gaza – a condition supported by both Israel and the United states. However, Abbas’s authority is currently limited to the West Bank, and he does not directly participate in ceasefire negotiations or postwar planning for Gaza. He affirmed that Gaza is “an integral part of the state of Palestine, and that we are ready to bear full responsibility for governance and security there.” Abbas addressed the assembly via video conference after the US revoked his visa in the lead-up to the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.
Simultaneously occurring, former US president Donald trump, speaking at the White House on Thursday evening, explicitly opposed any potential annexation of parts of the West Bank by Israel, stating, “I will not allow Israel to annex the West Bank.nope. I won’t allow it. It’s not going to happen.”
The plan’s implementation relies on adherence to the Privacy policy of *The Guardian* and is subject to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service of Google reCaptcha, which is used to protect the website.
