Britain's former prime minister Tony Blair has strongly denied an Israeli media report linking him to talks last week about the resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza in other countries.
Tony Blair © Mena Today
Britain's former prime minister Tony Blair has strongly denied an Israeli media report linking him to talks last week about the resettlement of Palestinians from Gaza in other countries.
Channel 12 claimed on Sunday that Blair, who left office in 2007 and was a Middle East envoy charged with building up Palestinian institutions, was in Israel last week.
The news channel said he held meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior minister Benny Gantz about a mediation role after the war with Hamas.
He could also act as a go-between with moderate Arab states about the "voluntary resettlement" of Gazans, it added.
But the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, a non-profit organization he set up in 2016, said the report was "a lie."
"The story was published without any contact with Tony Blair or his team. No such discussion has taken place," it said in a statement.
Former Prime Minister has transitioned from politics to business ventures, leaving behind his official diplomatic engagements.
Blair, who served as Prime Minister from 1997 to 2007, has been notably absent from recent international diplomatic discussions.
Instead, he has turned his attention to advising several African countries on development strategies, marking a new chapter in his career.
Blair's consulting services now extend to several African nations, including Rwanda, Togo, and others across the continent.
Leveraging his extensive network and experience gained during his political career, Blair has positioned himself as a strategic advisor in the realm of economic development.
One of his primary focuses has been on assisting these nations in formulating comprehensive strategies for growth and development.
His involvement includes advising governments on economic policies, investments, and initiatives aimed at fostering sustainable development.
One of the most significant aspects of Blair's post-political career is his dedication to working with African countries to address pressing issues and explore opportunities for progress.
An apparent drone attack - claimed by the Iranian-backed Houthi militia - hit central Tel Aviv in the early hours of Friday, killing one man and slightly wounding four others, the Israeli military and emergency services said.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told his U.S. counterpart that military operations in the Gaza Strip have created conditions that would enable a hostage deal to be reached, Gallant's office said on Wednesday.
A meeting of the United Nations Security Council on the Middle East was briefly interrupted on Wednesday when two protesters stood with signs and yelled for the release of Israeli hostages held by Palestinian militants Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
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