In brief
In a significant meeting at the White House, former British Prime Minister Tony Blair joined US President Donald Trump and other officials to discuss plans for post-war Gaza. The discourse focused on a comprehensive strategy to address the humanitarian needs following the conflict, which has left Gaza in turmoil. With increasing military actions in Gaza City, the meeting raised concerns about the potential humanitarian crisis as evacuations and military operations escalate.
Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has joined a White House meeting with US President Donald Trump to discuss plans for post-war Gaza, the BBC has confirmed.
Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has said the US is putting together a very comprehensive plan on the next day after the war. However, little else has been disclosed about the meeting.
Blair served as Middle East envoy for a few years after leaving office in 2007 - focusing on bringing economic development to Palestinian areas and creating conditions for a two-state solution.
However, when Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar was asked by reporters what the plan was for a Palestinian state, he said there would not be any.
The White House meeting came after the Israeli military warned Palestinians that the evacuation of Gaza City was inevitable, as its forces prepare to conquer it.
Israeli tanks pushed into a new area of the city overnight, destroying houses and forcing more residents to flee, according to witnesses. Thousands have already moved due to recent Israeli advances - mostly to other parts of the city, where about a million Palestinians still live.
In early August, Israel announced plans to occupy the whole Gaza Strip - including Gaza City, which it described as Hamas's last stronghold.
The UN and non-governmental organizations have warned that an Israeli offensive in Gaza City - where a famine was declared last week - could have a horrific humanitarian impact.
In a statement on Wednesday, UN Security Council members, excluding the US, condemned the famine in Gaza as a man-made crisis and expressed profound alarm and distress at the latest reports.
The statement urged Israel to unconditionally lift restrictions on humanitarian aid, stating that using starvation as a weapon of war is against international law.
On the ground in Gaza City, bombardments also continued in neighborhoods including Shejaiya and Zeitoun as Israeli troops engaged in combat in Jabalia and outskirts of Gaza City.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Israel aims to conquer the entire Gaza Strip, facing pressure to avoid further escalation.
With tensions rising, the humanitarian crisis continues to worsen, highlighted by recent protests in Tel Aviv calling for a ceasefire.
