A leaked draft has revealed details of a proposed governance structure for the Gaza Strip, outlining how authority could be exercised and who might oversee the region’s administration and reconstruction.
The plan, prepared by the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, a think tank led by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, suggests that a small group of foreign billionaires could sit on a governing board, alongside an investment body tasked with generating “real financial returns.” Critics argue that the plan sidelines Palestinians while granting power to foreigners “motivated by capital interests.”
According to the draft, the proposed “Gaza International Transitional Authority” (GITA) would take temporary control of Gaza once hostilities end. The authority would be led by an international board of seven to ten members with executive and financial expertise. Potential board members listed include Egyptian billionaire Naguib Sawiris, American private equity investor Marc Rowan, and possibly Rabbi Aryeh Lightstone, CEO of the Abraham Accord Peace Institute. Only one Palestinian representative would be included, contingent on meeting unspecified qualifications, possibly from the business or security sector.
The chairman of GITA would lead a compact team of 25 personnel and be supported by a specialized security force dedicated to protecting the leadership. Beneath the governing board, five commissioners would oversee Humanitarian, Reconstruction, Legal and Legislative, Security Oversight, and Palestinian Authority Coordination functions. An “International Stabilisation Force” (ISF), coordinating with Egyptian and Israeli security, would manage Gaza’s borders, deter armed group resurgence, and protect humanitarian and reconstruction operations.
Palestinians would play a limited role through a “Palestinian Executive Authority,” responsible for delivering public services, rebuilding healthcare and education systems, and managing infrastructure. The Gaza Civil Police Force would report to this executive authority, coordinating with the ISF for security matters.
The plan also proposes the creation of a Gaza Investment Promotion and Economic Development Authority to manage investments, attract private capital, and oversee projects expected to generate returns. Another body, the GITA Grants and Finance Accountability Facility, would handle all grant-based contributions from international donors. The projected three-year budget for GITA is nearly $388 million, with over $27 million allocated for the board alone. Temporary administration could be managed remotely via hubs in Egypt and Jordan, though the plan does not specify when full control would return to the Palestinian Authority.
Critics argue that the plan prioritizes foreign interests over Palestinian welfare. John Na’em Snobar, a Palestinian Christian and former diplomat in Egypt and Pakistan, said, “The people sitting around the table are motivated by capital interests. Who is looking out for Palestinian interests?” He further warned that the plan risks expanding Israeli control over Palestinian territory and that it is unlikely to gain acceptance among Palestinian leaders.
Following the plan’s unveiling, Tony Blair praised it as a “bold and intelligent” initiative capable of ending the war, providing immediate relief to Gaza, and ensuring Israel’s security while facilitating the release of hostages. However, the leaked draft has sparked widespread debate over the exclusion of Palestinian voices and the potential consequences for Gaza’s future.
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