Italy’s top diplomat says Tony Blair could play ‘important role’ in post-ceasefire Gaza
Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani has said his government would look “favourably” upon the idea of former British PM Tony Blair working on a plan for a post-ceasefire Gaza, adding that “he’s a person who could play an important role”.
In an interview with Il Messaggero, one of Italy’s main newspapers, Tajani said: “Incidentally, when he was British Prime Minister, Blair had close relations with [former Italian PM Silvio] Berlusconi. He’s a person who could play an important role. In the meetings held, this plan was discussed, but let’s see how it ends up.”
His comments come after several reports that Blair could head a transitional Gaza administration. UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper told The Guardian newspaper that Blair “has been one of the people adding proposals to this process”, but there are other processes.
On Trump’s 21-point proposal to end the war in Gaza, Tajani added: “We support every mediation initiative. The American proposal is welcome if accepted by Arab countries and if it provides for Hamas’s exclusion, the immediate release of hostages, and a path that can lead to the establishment of a Palestinian state. I seem to have heard a positive judgement from Arab countries. We’re working to build it.”
I didn't know Tony Blair was Palestinian. Arrogant racist West just assumes they need to rule Gaza.
Trump promises ‘something special’ in ceasefire talks
In his latest social media post, President Trump has claimed that “all are on board for something special” in his efforts to negotiate peace in the Middle East.
“We have a real chance for greatness in the Middle East. All are on board for something special, first time ever. We will get it done!” Trump said.
In recent weeks, Trump has repeatedly suggested an imminent ceasefire deal in Gaza but those claims have not materialised. Israeli attacks on Gaza, meanwhile, have only intensified.
On Thursday, he said that the US was “close to a deal” to end the war, and that it “could be today”.
On Friday he said that “intense negotiations” had been going on for four days and would continue until a deal was reached, adding that he had never seen such “goodwill and enthusiasm for getting a deal done”.
As we reported earlier, Hamas has said that ceasefire negotiations have been suspended since Israel’s attack on its negotiating team in Doha earlier this month. It said it had not received any new proposals from mediators, but was ready to consider any proposals by mediators “positively”.
