Sir Tony Blair may soon find himself at the heart of renewed peace efforts in Gaza, according to Britain’s Middle East Minister, Hamish Falconer.
The former Prime Minister has been suggested as a potential member of the board overseeing Gaza’s reconstruction should the second phase of a fragile ceasefire deal be secured.
Blair Tipped for Key Role in Gaza Peace Plan
Speaking during an exclusive interview with a media, Mr Falconer praised Blair’s deep-rooted experience in conflict resolution, particularly in the Middle East and with disarmament efforts.
“I think Tony Blair obviously has a huge amount of experience, both in the Middle East and on disarmament issues, from the IRA. He clearly has a real contribution to make.
The questions around phase 2 are to be negotiated, and we want to make sure that the peace board works for everybody. But obviously, Tony Blair has a real contribution to make,” said Falconer.
Blair’s Return to High-Stakes Diplomacy?
Although controversial at home due to his role in the Iraq War, Blair remains a respected figure in international diplomacy circles.
Supporters note his pivotal part in ending the Northern Ireland Troubles and his established relationships with both Israeli and Arab leaders.
He’s no stranger to the region either. Blair has previously worked closely with Jared Kushner, Donald Trump’s son-in-law, to shape a peace framework for the Middle East.
The renewed talk of him returning to a diplomatic role in Gaza has resurfaced amid rising concerns over the durability of the current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Tensions Remain as Ceasefire Wavers
Despite ongoing hostage and prisoner exchanges, the situation in Gaza remains extremely tense. Both sides have been accused of violating the ceasefire terms.
Mr Falconer, who now serves as MP for Lincoln after a career in diplomacy, cautioned against assuming the current calm will last.
“It is absolutely vital that the ceasefire remains in place and that we move on to the really important questions in phase 2.
I know incredibly intimately how important that ceasefire is, both for the people of Gaza, for those we’re trying to support through medical evacuations and other things, for the stability and security it can give to Israel and the whole region to know that this war, which has been so destructive, has come to an end,” he warned.
What Phase 2 Means
Phase 2 of the deal is expected to tackle long-term governance and stability in Gaza—an area devastated by conflict and complex political dynamics.
Blair’s inclusion in a future Gaza “peace board” is seen as a move to balance technical oversight with political credibility.
“Clearly, the phase 1 issues, the ceasefire questions, are not everything… we need to move on to the questions in phase two.
Those are the ones which the peace board, the technical committee for Gaza, all of those more complex questions that are set out in the 20-point plan are really very relevant,” Falconer explained.
From Migrant Routes to Conflict Zones: Falconer’s Expanding Brief
The minister spoke from a migrant processing facility in Algeria, part of his wider responsibility over North Africa. He’s also been a vocal critic of the previous Conservative government’s hardline migration slogans, including the now-infamous “stop the boats” rhetoric.
Calling for nuance, he remarked: “Simple slogans are not the solution to a complex problem.”
At the same time, Falconer pushed back against suggestions that Labour’s reduction of the international aid budget had worsened the migrant crisis.
“I used to deliver international aid… we’ve been really proud as the Middle East minister to protect the aid to Gaza, for example, which has been so vital and necessary,” he said.
The UK has also prioritised aid to Sudan, recognising the scale of humanitarian need there.
Drawing on personal experience, Falconer challenged assumptions that migration is driven solely by poverty or war.
“I lived in South Sudan, for example, for two years. It’s one of the poorest places in the world, but it is not South Sudanese, overwhelmingly, who are on the boats. There are a lot of Iraqi Kurds who make the journey.”
He noted that regions like Iraqi Kurdistan, which are not among the most impoverished or war-torn, still contribute significant numbers to the migration flow. This, he argues, points to a need for a better understanding of the “precise mechanisms” behind migration, beyond just funding aid efforts.
What’s Next for Gaza?
The road ahead hinges on the ceasefire’s endurance. If phase 2 unfolds as planned, it could pave the way for an international team, possibly led by figures like Blair, to steer Gaza toward reconstruction and stability.
While Blair’s potential return to frontline diplomacy is bound to stir debate in the UK, his international reputation may be exactly what’s needed to manage such a high-stakes peace effort.
