President Trump met with his son-in-law, Jared Kushner, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair to discuss the ongoing conflict in Gaza, focusing on various aspects including the hostage situation and humanitarian aid for the Palestinians, as well as future plans for the region, according to White House officials.
Officials characterized the gathering as “simply a policy meeting.”
Kushner, married to Trump’s daughter Ivanka, was the president’s main representative for Middle Eastern issues during his first term.
He played a key role in facilitating significant normalization agreements between Israel and several Arab nations, known as the Abraham Accords, which is often regarded as one of Trump’s major foreign policy successes, even earning Kushner a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Blair, who served as prime minister for a decade, has been deeply involved in matters concerning Israel and the Palestinians. He has consistently supported Israel and advocates for a two-state solution.
The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change has conducted several polls regarding Hamas since the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel. These polls revealed that most Palestinians in Gaza disapproved of terrorist groups aiming to govern independently from Israel.
The results underscore the critical need to create a new reality in Gaza, offering Palestinians a better future with self-governance and moving toward a two-state solution, as discussed by Blair’s organization in May.
While Trump has shown interest in the U.S. playing a role in Gaza’s future, the White House did not provide detailed insights about the meeting when contacted.
“President Trump has been clear about wanting to stop the war and promote peace and prosperity for everyone in the region,” another White House official noted. “Currently, we don’t have any additional details from the meeting.”
Envoy Steve Witkoff teased the meeting earlier, stating it was part of the administration’s broader effort to formulate a “very comprehensive plan” for Gaza in the aftermath of the conflict.
“Many will see the robustness and good intentions behind it, reflecting President Trump’s humanitarian approach,” Witkoff told Fox News.
Trump previously suggested transforming the Gaza Strip into a “free zone,” even mentioning the idea of the U.S. taking control of it and developing coastal areas as part of a “Middle Eastern Riviera.”
