Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair is reportedly being considered to lead a proposed international authority to govern Gaza in the aftermath of a potential ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Blair, 72, has reemerged as a central figure in behind-the-scenes diplomacy aimed at shaping Gaza’s future after nearly two years of devastating war on the besieged Palestinian territory. According to Israeli and U.S. officials familiar with the discussions,
On Monday, President Donald Trump will discuss his 21-point proposal to end the war and chart a future governance course with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
In a post on his Truth Social site, the U.S. president noted, “we will get it done.”
“We have a real chance for GREATNESS IN THE MIDDLE EAST. ALL ARE ON BOARD FOR SOMETHING SPECIAL, FIRST TIME EVER. WE WILL GET IT DONE!!! President DJT.”
Trump sees ‘real chance’ for progress days after unveiling plan to end Gaza war
Blair has been heavily involved in crafting a post-war action plan, parts of which have been adopted by the Trump administration in its 21-point Gaza peace proposal.
At the heart of this plan is the creation of a Gaza International Transitional Authority — a temporary governing body made up of international experts, U.N. officials, and Palestinian and Arab representatives.
Blair is being considered to lead this authority, which would oversee the reconstruction of Gaza and eventually hand over control to a reformed Palestinian Authority, The Washington Post reported.
Ahead of the White House talks between President Trump and Netanyahu, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt an agreement among all sides to end the Gaza war looked “very close.”
“As you know, the president has been working tirelessly on this effort to bring this war in Gaza and to bring this conflict in the Middle East to an end. He wants to see all of the hostages released,” Leavitt said Monday.
Israel Says Yes to Trump’s Plan
The Israeli Coalition for Regional Security has launched a new nationwide billboard campaign urging the government to back President Donald Trump’s initiative to end the war in Gaza and expand the Abraham Accords.
Featuring President Trump, PM… pic.twitter.com/1NHZYFDYEQ
— הקואליציה לביטחון אזורי (@AbrahamShield25) September 28, 2025
Meanwhile, the proposal for Blair to lead the future Gaza authority has sparked debate. Supporters, especially in Israel, see Blair as a respected broker who could help bridge political divides. Critics, particularly among Palestinians, view his involvement with suspicion due to his role in the 2003 Iraq War and perceived pro-Israel bias during his time as a peace envoy.
“He has always had a corner of his heart devoted to the unfinished project of calming down this conflict,” former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak said.
On the other side, Palestinian officials have expressed concern over Blair’s potential role.
Mustafa Barghouti, a senior Palestinian politician, said Blair’s reputation in Gaza is overwhelmingly negative, referencing Britain’s colonial history and Blair’s support for the Iraq War.
“No one consulted us,” said Mahmoud Habbash, an adviser to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. “The only side that is able to administer Gaza is a Palestinian government and nothing else,” Barghouti said, according to the Post.
Despite the criticism, Blair’s influence remains strong. His ideas have been included in previous U.S.-Israeli reconstruction plans and are now gaining traction again. Trump officials, including Jared Kushner, are said to have consulted Blair on multiple occasions.
The final shape of Gaza’s post-war governance remains uncertain. Key disagreements persist — particularly over the role of the Palestinian Authority, which Israel wants to exclude, and the Palestinians insist must lead any future government.
Blair’s plan does state that no Gazans will be forced to leave and that the transitional authority would be temporary, eventually ceding control to Palestinian leadership as part of a future independent state.
Diplomats say nothing is finalized, but Blair’s role — once viewed as peripheral — is now being taken seriously as the region inches closer to a potential ceasefire.
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Iftikhar Ali is a veteran Pakistani journalist, former president of UN Correspondents Association, and a recipient of the Pride of Performance civil award
