A controversial blueprint for governing Gaza after the current conflict has emerged, allegedly masterminded by an unlikely duo: former US President Donald Trump and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair. The plan, which has been circulated among Middle Eastern leaders, proposes a temporary administration involving figures from the Palestinian Authority and backed by Arab states, explicitly excluding Hamas from any future role.
The revelations, first reported by The Independent, suggest that Trump and Blair have been actively working behind the scenes to shape the 'day after' scenario in the war-torn enclave. This initiative underscores the intense international jockeying to influence Gaza's future, even as the fighting continues to rage.
The Core of the Proposed Plan
The proposed framework outlines a governance structure completely separate from Hamas. The key pillars of the plan include:
- A Temporary Administration: A new governing body would be established, formed from existing Palestinian Authority (PA) figures.
- Arab State Backing: Neighbouring Arab nations would be enlisted to provide political and financial support for the new administration.
- Exclusion of Hamas: The plan explicitly rules out any involvement for Hamas, the group that has controlled Gaza since 2007 and is currently engaged in a brutal war with Israel.
- Focus on Stabilisation: The immediate goal would be to restore order, provide essential humanitarian aid, and begin reconstruction efforts.
Questions of Legitimacy and Feasibility
The proposal immediately faces significant hurdles and has been met with scepticism from analysts. A major point of contention is the legitimacy of an administration installed by external powers rather than emerging from a Palestinian political process.
Furthermore, the current Palestinian Authority, led by President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank, suffers from its own popularity issues and perceived legitimacy deficit among Palestinians. Installing its figures in Gaza without a democratic mandate could be a recipe for instability.
The plan also appears to sidestep the official stance of the current US administration under President Joe Biden, which has publicly advocated for a "revitalised" Palestinian Authority to eventually assume control of both Gaza and the West Bank.
A Coordinated Effort or Rogue Diplomacy?
The involvement of Trump and Blair raises questions about the nature of their diplomacy. Tony Blair, in his role as former Quartet envoy to the Middle East, has long been involved in the region's politics. Donald Trump, as the presumptive Republican nominee for the upcoming US presidential election, is effectively conducting a shadow foreign policy.
Their collaboration suggests a concerted effort to present an alternative vision to the one being developed by current Western and Arab governments, potentially complicating an already fraught diplomatic landscape.
As the war in Gaza continues with no clear end in sight, the battle to shape its future is already intensifying. The Trump-Blair plan, however controversial, signals that the debate over Gaza's governance will be as complex and contentious as the conflict itself.
