Netanyahu supports US peace plan for Gaza, Trump says – as role for Tony Blair revealed
The White House has unveiled its peace plan for Gaza – which includes a top role for Sir Tony Blair.
The 20-point plan was released by the US government just minutes before Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu held a joint news conference on Monday evening.
The plan states that if the fighting ends, Gaza will be placed under the control of a transitional government headed by Trump and others, including former British prime minister Sir Tony.
Gaza latest: Trump praises Netanyahu at joint news conference
Gaza will “be a deradicalised terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbours” and “redeveloped for the benefit of” its people, the plan adds.
It also says nobody will be forced to leave Gaza and states there will be increased aid to the enclave. Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza, it says.
The remaining Israeli hostages being held by Hamas must be released within 24 hours, the plan states. It says this will be followed by Israel releasing Palestinian prisoners.
Speaking at the White House, Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu said to Mr Trump: “I support your plan to end the war in Gaza which achieves our war aims.”
“It will bring back to Israel all our hostages, dismantle Hamas’s military capabilities and its political rule, and ensure that Gaza never again poses a threat to Israel,” he said.
Hamas said on Monday evening that it was yet to receive the written peace plan.
Tony Blair ‘a good man’, says Trump
The US president singled out Sir Tony for praise, labelling him a “good man” as he named him as one of the political figures who would be on Gaza’s transitional governing body.
Mr Trump said “leaders that are very distinguished” would be on the board, adding: “And one of the people that wants to be on the board is the UK former prime minister Tony Blair. Good man, very good man. And some others.”
Mr Trump said the body will be called the “Board of Peace”, adding that other members will be named in the coming days.
Sir Tony attended a meeting with Mr Trump and others to discuss the future of Gaza in August.
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After resigning as prime minister in 2007, Sir Tony was appointed as the international community’s special envoy to the Middle East with the goal of helping develop the Palestinian economy and institutions in order to prepare the groundwork for a Palestinian state.
However, he struggled to deliver dramatic changes in the role and resigned in 2015.
