Trump backs Blair's vision for rebuilding postwar Gaza

But proposal has not been shared with regional actors and its central premise may be rejected by Israel. Bel Trew reports reports

- Bel Trew

Donald Trump has encouraged Sir Tony Blair to rally regional support for the former prime minister's postwar plans for Gaza.

Sources briefed on Sir Tony's proposal said the guiding principle is "Gaza is for Gazans", with no displacement of the population, something that Israel's ultra right-wing cabinet members have called for.

According to Israeli media it would focus on building a transitional governing body which would ultimately return power to the internationally recognised Palestinian Authority, as part of "a pathway towards a Palestinian state".

But details of the proposal have yet to be seen by the Palestinian Authority, Hamas or neighbouring countries impacted, such as Jordan.

And the central premise, as explained to The Independent by sources briefed on the document, apparently directly clashes with both Israeli and Hamas visions for the destroyed strip. The Independent understands the report leaked to the Times of Israel is an earlier draft of what is currently on the table.

It proposes creating a new body named the Gaza International Transitional Authority (Gita) which will govern Gaza during a transitional period, eventually handing over control to the PA.

Gita would be established via a UN Security Council resolution and would be governed by a board of 7-10 members, including at least one qualified Palestinian, a senior UN official, international figures with financial experience, as well as "strong representation of Muslim members". Previous reporting had linked Sir Tony’s initiative to the forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, leaving the enclave open for international property development.

But sources told The Independent that the institute would not support or endorse any proposal that involves the transfer of Palestinians.

In the leaks published by