Tony Blair attends White House meeting and advises Donald Trump on future of Gaza as President scales back on 'Riviera of the Middle East' plans
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Mr Blair served as Middle East envoy for a few years after leaving office in 2007
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Tony Blair has travelled to Washington DC to discuss a plan to rebuild Gaza with Donald Trump, a White House official has revealed.
The former British Prime Minister met with the US President on Wednesday as tensions in the Middle East rose following a strike on the city, which killed 20 people, including journalists and hospital workers.
The Potus has previously suggested Palestinians should be dispersed to neighbouring countries, with the US taking control of the strip of land.
He described the controversial suggestion as “the Riviera of the Middle East”, but it appears the President has backed away from this idea.
Although humanitarian aid was expected to be high on the agenda during Wednesday’s White House meeting, no details of the discussion have been announced.
Sir Tony worked with the Biden administration in developing plans to send foreign troops into Gaza to stabilise security and deliver humanitarian aid.
A US official told Axios that President Trump’s instructions are: "Get this fixed."
The official added: "It’s expanding the food plan, the quantity, the distribution method, the number of people that could be served."
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Tony Blair has travelled to Washington DC to discuss a plan to rebuild Gaza with Donald Trump, a White House official has revealed
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Mr Blair served as Middle East envoy for a few years after leaving office in 2007, where focusing on bringing economic development to Palestinian areas and creating conditions for a two-state solution.
The Israeli military has warned that the evacuation of Gaza City was "inevitable", as Jerusalem sent troops into the strip.
The country has demanded Hamas disarm, release all remaining hostages and end the conflict on Israel's terms.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz wrote on social media: "Soon, the gates of hell will open upon the heads of Hamas's murderers and rapists in Gaza - until they agree to Israel's conditions for ending the war, primarily the release of all hostages and their disarmament."
Donald Trump has previously suggested Palestinians should be dispersed to neighbouring countries, with the US taking control of the strip of land
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He added: "If they do not agree, Gaza, the capital of Hamas, will become Rafah and Beit Hanoun."
Rafah and Beit Hanoun were two cities in Gaza destroyed by Israeli forces during the longstanding conflict in the Middle East.
Sir Keir Starmer had previously condemned the invasion and urged Israel to reconsider its decision "to further escalate its offensive in Gaza".
In a statement, he said: "This action will do nothing to bring an end to this conflict or to help secure the release of the hostages. It will only bring more bloodshed."
Reuters
Mr Starmer added: "What we need is a ceasefire, a surge in humanitarian aid, the release of all hostages by Hamas and a negotiated solution.
"Hamas can play no part in the future of Gaza and must leave as well as disarm. Our message is clear: a diplomatic solution is possible, but both parties must step away from the path of destruction."
Britain followed in France's steps to recognise a Palestinian state in September, with Canada and Australia set to follow suit.
The UK Government has been accused of rewarding Hamas after its conditions on a Palestinian state relied on Israel meeting certain conditions, including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza and reviving the prospect of a two-state solution.