Trump-Gaza live: Tony Blair to serve on ‘Board of Peace’ as Netanyahu warns Hamas to accept US plan – UK Times

It is unclear whether the UN’s Palestinian refugee agency will be able to carry out its work as part of Trump’s peace plan in Gaza, a spokesperson has told The Independent.

“We don’t have any details on whether Unrwa will be allowed to bring in much-needed supplies that are currently stuck in Jordan and Egyptm” said Juliette Touma.

The agency was designated as a terrorist group by Israel due to alleged links between some of its workers with Hamas, prohibiting it from operating within the country.

“We need to be allowed to do out work, for this ban to be lifted, so we are able to bring in supplies, able to go in as international personnel to support our Palestinian staff in the work that they are doing.

“If this plan is implemented and the guns fall silent finally, Unrwa can play a key role in education for children,” she adds, explaining that it has experience and knowhow in managing the education for 300,000 Gazan children.

Part of a reparations loan to Ukraine, proposed by the EU Commission and backed by frozen Russian assets, would be allocated for defence procurement within Europe, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday.

Von der Leyen said the proposal did not involve seizing the frozen assets. Ukraine would repay the loan if Russia would pay reparations, she added.

French president Emmanuel Macron has said Hamas “has no choice” but to accept Trump’s peace plan.

“I expect Israel to engage resolutely on this basis. Hamas has no choice but to immediately release all hostages and follow this plan,” Macron posted on X.

“These elements must pave the way for in-depth discussions with all relevant partners to build a lasting peace in the region, based on the two-state solution,” he wrote.

“France stands ready to contribute. It will remain vigilant regarding the commitments of each party.”

Hamas are set to hold internal discussions as well as talks with other Palestinian factions before they respond to Donald Trump’s proposal for a ceasefire, the Associated Press is reporting.

An official for the Palestinian militant group added that it received the proposal from the two Mideast mediators — Egypt and Qatar — and “will begin studying it today” with other factions.

There was no indication when Hamas could give its response to the plan. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.

The Islamic Jihad Movement has denounced US president Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end Israel’s war in Gaza.

The militant group’s secretary-general, Ziyad Al-Nakhalah, told Al-Araby news that Trump’s plan was an American-Israeli agreement and only extended Israel’s position.

“Israel is trying to impose through the United States what it was unable to achieve through war,” he added.

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Tuesday that she welcomed US president Donald Trump’s peace proposal to end the nearly two-year-old war in Gaza.

“Welcome President @realDonaldTrump’s commitment to end the war in Gaza. Encourage all parties to now seize this opportunity. The EU stands ready to contribute,” she wrote on X.

“Hostilities should end with provision of immediate humanitarian relief to the population in Gaza and with all hostages released immediately,” she added.

German chancellor Friedrich Merz has welcomed plans set out by US president Donald Trump for peace in Gaza, saying they offered the best chance to end the war in the enclave.

“Germany is ready to make a concrete contribution to the implementation of the plan,” said a German government spokesperson.

Mr Merz had met with families of the German hostages held by Hamas earlier in the day,” the spokesperson added.

The White House has unveiled a 20-point peace plan aimed at bringing an immediate end to the war in Gaza, where more than 66,000 Palestinians have lost their lives since 7 October 2023 according to local health officials.

Under the proposal, if both Hamas and Israel agree, hostilities would cease at once. All hostages in Gaza – both dead and alive – would be returned within 72 hours, and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners would also be released.

The plan envisions a temporary technocratic Palestinian administration overseeing Gaza, excluding Hamas from any governance role, while ensuring that Israel does not annex the territory. The make-up of the board that would govern Gaza remains unclear but the plan names Tony Blair as one example of a member.

Maroosha Muzaffar has more details.

Donald Trump claimed he had solved peace for Middle East during a press conference with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Bel Trew reports.