Blinken to present ‘day after’ plan for Gaza as PA fights to govern the strip without Hamas

During his last week in office, U.S. State Secretary Antony Blinken plans to present a plan for how the Gaza Strip should be run after the war, as negotiations over a ceasefire are in “advanced stages.”

According to Axios, Blinken intends to lay out his plan in a speech to the Atlantic Council on Tuesday morning.

He previously presented his ideas on the future of the Gaza Strip to U.S. allies, including Israel, the Palestinian Authority (PA), the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia and other regional countries, the report added.

“Blinken wants to try and shape the outcome of the war and he will make clear in his speech how he thinks Israel can turn its tactical wins against Hamas into strategic gains,” a U.S. official told the outlet.

In a recent press conference in Paris, Blinken said he intended to “hand that over to the Trump administration so it can work on it and run with it when the opportunity is there.”

The post-war government in Gaza has been a bone of contention since the war began, and Israel declared the destruction of Hamas' governmental capabilities as a main war goal.

Last week, Reuters reported that the UAE, Israel and the United States have been discussing the issue recently, with the UAE considering involvement in a provisional government until a “reformed” Palestinian Authority (PA) can assume control.

Axios reported that Blinken's plan has led to “fierce internal fighting” in the State Department, with some officials fearing it would benefit the interests of Israel and its prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, while “marginalizing” the PA.

According to Israel’s Kan News, an Egyptian source said that the PA insists on managing Gaza alone, without Hamas, after the war. The PA is even said to have contacted the incoming Trump administration on the matter.

Egypt had tried to mediate an agreement between the PA and Hamas, the two largest Palestinian factions, to jointly administer the strip after the war.

The PA reportedly cited its lack of trust in Hamas, as well as its attempts to destabilize Judea and Samaria and establish an Iranian presence there, as reasons for its refusal to work with the terror group.

Blinken’s plan envisions a governing mechanism including the PA, but also regional countries and the international community. He is reportedly set to reiterate his call for reforms in the PA while insisting it must be part of a future government in the enclave.

However, when Blinken sent an advisor to Ramallah to present the plan’s outlines to the PA some weeks ago, he was presented with a “long list” of unspecified Palestinian reservations, according to the report.

Israel has so far categorically rejected the possibility that the PA will take part in the government of Gaza after the war.

The plan also includes the possibility that international and regional Arab troops will be sent to Gaza to provide security and distribute aid.

Blinken will also reject a permanent Israeli presence in Gaza, the permanent capture of parts of the strip’s territory, or any “forced transfer” of Palestinians from the area, Axios added.