Middle East Crisis

Gaza War
Report: Blair and Kushner at White House meeting on Gaza

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump's son-in-law and former adviser, attended a White House meeting on the US post-war plan for Gaza yesterday, according to information provided to Axios. According to the sources, they both presented proposals for how Gaza could be governed after the war.

They also reportedly discussed how to increase the flow of emergency aid to the famine-stricken area. Otherwise, few details from the meeting have been leaked to the media.

US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said in an interview with Fox News on Tuesday that the White House would hold a "big meeting" on the future of Gaza on Wednesday and that the US has a "very comprehensive" plan.

Israeli Minister Opens Up About Annexing Gaza

Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich is urging Netanyahu to begin annexing the Gaza Strip if Hamas does not disarm, AFP reports.

The far-right minister, who is against all agreements with Hamas, presented his plan to “win in Gaza before the end of the year” at a press conference in Jerusalem.

If Hamas does not heed an ultimatum to surrender, lay down its arms and release all hostages, Israel will annex a new part of Gaza every week for four weeks, according to Smotrich’s plan.

The Palestinians will be forced south, after which Israel will take control of the northern and central parts, defeat all Hamas fighters there and then annex the areas.

– This can be achieved within three to four months, says Smotrich.

Reactions
US Senator to Norway: Take Back Your Shitty Decision

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham is furious with the Norwegian Oil Fund's decision to dump its holding in Caterpillar because of the American company's Israel connections.

In a post on X, he writes that "maybe it's time to impose tariffs on countries that refuse to do business with large American companies". He also raises the proposal to deny visas to the fund's management because they "try to punish American companies because of geopolitical differences".

"I urge you to reconsider your short-sighted decision."

In a previous post, he calls it a "shitty decision".