Onlykashmir.in News Desk
President Donald Trump on Wednesday presided a policy meeting on the Gaza war on with input from former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Trump Middle East envoy Jared Kushner, a senior White House official said.
“U.S. President Donald Trump held a significant policy meeting on Wednesday to address the ongoing Gaza war, joined by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Middle East envoy Jared Kushner,” according to a senior White House official.
The closed-door session, described as a routine policy discussion, focused on critical issues including humanitarian aid, the hostage crisis, and post-war reconstruction plans for the Gaza Strip. The meeting, which lasted over 90 minutes in the Oval Office, included top White House officials and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff
Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law and a key Middle East adviser during his first term, has been quietly advising Witkoff for months, with sources noting his deep ties to regional leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Blair, who served as the UK Prime Minister during the 2003 Iraq War and later as the Quartet’s special envoy for the Middle East, brought his experience in regional diplomacy. His think tank has faced scrutiny for reportedly contributing to Trump’s controversial “Gaza Riviera” project, which has drawn criticism for proposals involving the relocation of Palestinian residents.
The discussions come amid global outrage over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where images of starving civilians, particularly children, have intensified criticism of Israel’s military aggression following the collapse of a two-month ceasefire on March 18, 2025, when Israeli strikes killed approximately 400 Palestinians.
Trump, who campaigned on ending the war swiftly, has expressed frustration over the lack of progress, with the White House reiterating his desire for a resolution that ensures peace for all parties.
Topics on the table included escalating food aid deliveries, addressing the ongoing hostage crisis involving around 20 living hostages held by Hamas, and exploring governance options for a post-war Gaza without Hamas in power. Blair and Kushner reportedly briefed Trump on a “day-after” plan, with elements previously discussed with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and coordinated with regional players like the United Arab Emirates
The outcome of Trump’s policy discussions could shape the next phase of U.S. involvement in the region, with global eyes watching closely.
As of August 28, 2025, the Gaza and adjoining areas remain in a dire humanitarian crisis following nearly two years of war. A ceasefire from January 19 to March 18, 2025, collapsed after Israel resumed airstrikes. Since then, Israeli military aggression have intensified, particularly in Gaza City, with plans to seize the area, leading to significant civilian casualties and displacement.
Over 62,000 Palestinians have been killed and 156,000 injured since October 2023, with 1,655 deaths reported from attacks on aid seekers since May 2025. Famine grips Gaza, with over 500,000 people facing starvation, exacerbated by Israel’s aid blockade and destruction of 86% of cropland. Approximately 90% of Gaza’s 2 million residents are displaced, many multiple times, with 70% of the territory under evacuation orders or no-go zones.
