Blair, a key member of the Board of Peace established by Trump, said Hamas needs to agree with the process of demilitarization of Gaza, and Israel needs to abide by its obligations, which include withdrawal from most of Gaza.
He told a ministerial meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday that “critical demilitarization talks with Hamas are continuing.”
Blair urged the council’s 15 members to continue providing “clear and consistent political support” for implementation of Trump’s 20-point peace plan and provide funding especially for shelter, health, water and sanitation.
Blair said that in his view the Trump administration “has understood two very crucial things.”
First, that Israel isn’t just entitled to protect its security, but will protect its security, and therefore there will be no peace in Gaza until the threat of violence against it ends, Blair said. And second, that if Hamas and other militants disarm, restrictions will be lifted.
Reconstruction plans for Gaza being worked on now “are based on this premise: Gaza not rebuilt but reimagined, a port, free movement of people and goods, proper infrastructure, new housing, fully able to access the digital economy,” Blair said.