WASHINGTON, D.C. – President Donald Trump today presided over a significant policy meeting to address the ongoing conflict in Gaza and discuss post-war strategies for the Palestinian territory. The meeting, held at the White House, included key figures such as former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and former Trump Middle East envoy Jared Kushner, alongside senior White House officials.
The agenda for the session was comprehensive, focusing on several critical aspects of the crisis: the ongoing hostage crisis, plans to escalate food aid deliveries, and a discussion of post-war plans. A senior White House official characterized the gathering as a standard policy meeting, reflecting the administration’s continued engagement on the issue.
The presence of Mr. Kushner, a key adviser from President Trump’s first term, and Mr. Blair, whose institute has been involved in post-war reconstruction projects for Gaza, highlights the broad range of perspectives being considered. The meeting follows a period of intense international scrutiny over the humanitarian situation in Gaza, where images of starving civilians have raised alarm.
Despite President Trump’s earlier campaign promise of a swift end to the war, a resolution has remained elusive. A two-month ceasefire at the start of his second term ended with Israeli strikes on March 18 that resulted in a significant number of Palestinian casualties.
The administration has previously faced criticism for its proposals on Gaza, including a plan floated in February for a “U.S. takeover” and a “permanent displacement” of Palestinians, which was widely condemned by rights experts and the United Nations. The administration had framed the plan as a redevelopment idea to transform Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
Separately, the U.S. State Department confirmed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, with discussions covering Gaza and regional issues. When questioned about a plan for a Palestinian state, Foreign Minister Saar stated that there would not be one.
The ongoing conflict, which began in October 2023 following a Hamas attack, has had devastating consequences, leading to a severe hunger crisis and the internal displacement of Gaza’s entire population. Accusations of genocide and war crimes have been brought before international courts, which Israel denies.
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