Tony Blair 'could GOVERN Gaza' under US-backed plans

The Washington-backed proposal is believed to mirror early administrations of Timor-Leste and Kosovo as the countries emerged from conflict into independence.

It is understood that Gita could initially be situated in the Egyptian city of el-Arish, close to the southern border of Gaza.

The proposal suggests that the temporary administration would eventually oversee the "unifying of all the Palestinian territory under the Palestinian Authority”.

Sir Tony's provisional role would see him fronting a department of 25 people, alongside chairing a board to manage the executive body responsible for running the Gaza Strip.

However, some fear that the appointment of Sir Tony could flare up tensions across the Middle East due to his premiership's role in the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

The ex-PM is said to be "resented" by many Palestinians, who view him as a block to their ambitions of independence.

Reports have indicated that Palestinians would not be advised to leave the region, which would have been the case under US President Donald Trump's suggestion to establish a "Gaza Riviera" resort earlier this year.

The White House is believed to view the new proposal as a compromise between Mr Trump's original plan for the US and Israel to manage Gaza - and the new UN-endorsed New York declaration signed just days ago.

The declaration was signed by 140 member states at the UN General Assembly, and endorses an short-term administration handed power for just one year before being given to the Palestinian Authority.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer previously pushed back against Mr Trump's initial plan, vowing that Gazans "must be allowed home" and "must be allowed to rebuild" after the conflict.

Now, the White House's latest proposal would see Sir Keir's close ally and predecessor in No10 supervise crucial areas of the region's governance.

CONFLICT IN THE MIDDLE EAST - READ THE LATEST:

• Israel hints at 'recognising Falklands as Argentinian' in revenge for Starmer welcoming Palestine
• Greta Thunberg's freedom flotilla tortured by endless noise as hijacked radios blast Abba on repeat
• Keir Starmer's recognition of Palestinian state branded a 'cheap political stunt' in scathing rant
• Palestinian children and their families flown to Britain from Gaza for urgent NHS medical treatment

Sir Tony met with Mr Trump in Washington DC back in August to discuss future plans to restore Gaza after the conflict.

On Tuesday, US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff held meetings with representatives from various Muslim-majority nations to present "the Trump 21-point plan for peace in the Mideast and Gaza."

Mr Witkoff said: “I think it addresses Israeli concerns as well as the concerns of all the neighbours in the region.

“We’re hopeful, and I might say even confident, that in the coming days we’ll be able to announce some sort of breakthrough.”

The representatives who were present at the meeting issued a joint statement shortly afterwards which noted that the talks had “reiterated their commitment to cooperate with President Trump, and stressed the importance of his leadership to end the war".

After Sir Tony resigned from his premiership in 2007, he was appointed as Middle East envoy for the UN, European Union, United States, and Russia.

The ex-Prime Minister was tasked with helping to develop the economy and improve governance in the Palestinian territories before he resigned in 2015.

Sir Tony was believed to have had a frosty relationship with the Palestinian Authority's leader Mahmoud Abbas, who accused the British politician of being too close with the Israeli Government.

Mr Abbas met Sir Keir Starmer just days ago - and after Britain recognised Palestine as a state, the PM wrote his counterpart a letter which detailed his "honour... to host you at Downing Street earlier this month".

"I look forward to a close and constructive relationship between our two states," Sir Keir added.

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter