Post by : Rameen Ariff

A new US-led plan for Gaza’s post-war future is taking shape, with former White House adviser Jared Kushner and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair set to play major roles in rebuilding the territory. The proposal, which former US President Donald Trump is expected to announce before Christmas, outlines a governance and reconstruction model aimed at stabilising Gaza after years of conflict.

US officials confirmed that Kushner and US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, both of whom were involved in negotiating the recent ceasefire, will join Blair on an executive board responsible for overseeing Gaza’s reconstruction. According to The Telegraph, this board will operate under a larger “board of peace,” chaired by Trump and consisting of Arab and European leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The United States, the United Nations and several Western governments have expressed support for the structure designed earlier this year by Kushner and Blair. The model proposes that a group of 12 to 15 Palestinian technocrats, with no political ties to Hamas or Fatah, manage Gaza’s day-to-day administration under the supervision of the executive board.

However, the biggest obstacle remains Hamas’s refusal to give up its weapons. Israeli officials have stated repeatedly that forces will not withdraw from Gaza unless Hamas fully disarms. The question of how to remove Hamas from control continues to cast uncertainty over the plan.

A Western official told Axios that while the framework is far along, everything hinges on whether Hamas will allow a new governing authority to take over. Without disarmament, international efforts to stabilise Gaza cannot move forward.

Kushner is also advancing a proposal for “alternative safe communities,” small temporary villages inside Gaza's IDF-controlled eastern and southern “green zone.” These settlements are intended to help civilians relocate from areas still under Hamas influence and provide temporary shelter until the larger reconstruction plan begins.

Meanwhile, discussions are underway to assemble an international stabilisation force for Gaza. Indonesia and Azerbaijan have expressed interest in contributing troops. Some countries have called for Turkey’s involvement, but Israel has rejected the idea, accusing Ankara of supporting Hamas.

European officials say much of the planning currently focuses on the green zone, as no clear strategy exists for removing Hamas from its strongholds. Diplomatic efforts are ongoing, with negotiators trying to balance security demands, humanitarian needs and political realities on the ground.

Kushner recently met Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem to discuss the fragile ceasefire. According to the Gaza health ministry, more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed during over two years of Israeli strikes. Israel maintains that any future government in Gaza must operate without Hamas, while Hamas insists it will not surrender its weapons.

Netanyahu told the Knesset that Gaza would be “demilitarised, either the easy way or the hard way,” signalling that Israel intends to enforce strict security conditions before stepping back.

The new Gaza reconstruction plan, involving Kushner, Blair and regional leaders, is shaping up to be one of the most significant international efforts aimed at rebuilding the territory. Whether it moves ahead now depends on political agreement, security guarantees and the possibility of a stable governing body acceptable to all sides.

#Global News #World News