Netanyahu, Blair held secret meeting to discuss future of Gaza: Report

The Israeli regime's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has reportedly held a secret meeting with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to discuss issues regarding the control of Gaza following two years of genocidal war against the besieged territory.  

Israeli Broadcaster KAN News, quoting sources, confirmed that Netanyahu secretly met with Blair in the occupied territories last week.

Blair reportedly discussed a plan based on US President Donald Trump's 20-point project for Gaza's future.

It outlines a Trump-chaired "Board of Peace" to oversee affairs in Gaza as a transitional authority. It also authorizes an "international stabilization force" that would ensure "demilitarization" of Gaza. 

Trump has proposed Blair as leading the "Board of Peace" that would oversee the post-war administration of the Gaza Strip.

During the meeting, Blair proposed to Netanyahu the idea that the Palestinian Authority should control specific areas in Gaza as a trial phase.

This would initially be carried out as a pilot scheme, which would become permanent if successful, KAN reported.

Blair's initiative was not dismissed outright by Israel, the report added. 

Sources said an announcement was expected to be made regarding the creation of an international body to administer the Gaza Strip by the end of the year.

The body, known as the peace council, will be chaired by Trump and will manage Gaza for two years, with an option for renewal.

In this context, Israeli forces withdrew to what is called the "yellow line," retaining more than 50% of the territory in the Gaza Strip under their control.

The plan is expected to be announced at the end of 2025 during a meeting between Trump and Netanyahu.

Senior Palestinian officials earlier rejected this proposal, stressing that a Western board administering the Gaza Strip would be a return to the days of the British Mandate.

UN Security Council approves US plan for Gaza, Hamas rejects UNSC resolution

Hamas has rejected the UNSC resolution, arguing that it imposes international guardianship, does not address Palestinian rights, and aims to disarm the resistance.

However, Blair met with PA Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh on November 23 to discuss issues related to the “day after” the war in Gaza, as well as issues related to the occupied West Bank and Palestinian statehood.

The Hamas resistance movement and other Palestinian factions, including Islamic Jihad, last month condemned a UN resolution for imposing an “international guardianship” over Palestinians.

Critics and independent observers argue that the US draft seeks to use the UN’s authority to normalize Israel’s genocide and impose another foreign regime on Palestinians.

‘Day of shame’: Ex-UN rights official slams UNSC resolution on Gaza

A former rights official has described Security Council vote on US resolution as a ‘day of shame’ for UN.

The plan is also criticized for operating outside recognized international legal frameworks, establishing a parallel order based on security control and external authority.

Hamas and Israel agreed in October to the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire, aimed at ending the latter’s two-year-long genocidal war against Palestinians in the besieged territory.

The truce took effect on October 10, but Israel has continued to violate it by carrying out airstrikes, incursions, shootings, and arrests.

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