Former British prime minister Tony Blair attended a White House meeting with Donald Trump on Wednesday to discuss plans for postwar Gaza, the Guardian understands. The meeting also reportedly included Trump’s son-in-law and former senior adviser, Jared Kushner.
Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, said the US was developing a “very comprehensive” plan for the day after the war. In an interview with Fox News, Witkoff expressed hope the conflict could end within four months, stating: “We’re going to settle this one way or another, certainly before the end of this year.” He added that the plan would reflect President Trump’s humanitarian motives.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also met his Israeli counterpart, Gideon Sa’ar, in Washington. Pope Leo XIV meanwhile demanded Israel cease its “collective punishment” of Gaza’s population, calling for a permanent ceasefire and safe humanitarian access. The Pope was interrupted twice by applause during his address at the Vatican.
On the ground, Israeli tanks advanced into Gaza City’s outskirts, destroying homes and displacing residents. Gaza health authorities reported at least 76 people killed by Israeli strikes in the previous 24 hours, while 10 Palestinians, including two children, died from starvation. Since the war began, 313 people have died from hunger, 119 of them children.
