Blair leaves Gaza after brief visit

GAZA CITY

Head of the Middle East Quartet Tony Blair left the Gaza Strip on Sunday after a brief visit to the Palestinian enclave.

Blair left Gaza through Erez crossing between Israel and the Palestinian strip after a visit that lasted for several hours, Maher Abu Sabha, head of the Palestinian border authority, told The Anadolu Agency.

Blair held talks with members of the Palestinian unity government in the Gaza Strip and took a brief tour in residential areas devastated by the last summer's Israeli onslaught, the Palestinian official said.

The visit comes as part of a regional tour by the former U.K. premier, which also included Egypt and Israel, with the stated aim of learning about the latest developments in the region.

Following days of indirect talks, Palestinian and Israeli negotiators hammered out a temporary cease-fire deal on Aug. 26.

At least 2,160 Palestinians were killed – mostly civilians – and some 11,000 injured when Israel waged a 51-day offensive in the coastal strip last July and August.

Negotiations between the two sides, however, have yet to resume.

GAZA CITY

Head of the Middle East Quartet Tony Blair left the Gaza Strip on Sunday after a brief visit to the Palestinian enclave.

The visit comes as part of a regional tour by the former U.K. premier, which also included Egypt and Israel, with the stated aim of learning about the latest developments in the region.

Following days of indirect talks, Palestinian and Israeli negotiators hammered out a temporary cease-fire deal on Aug. 26.

At least 2,160 Palestinians were killed – mostly civilians – and some 11,000 injured when Israel waged a 51-day offensive in the coastal strip last July and August.

Negotiations between the two sides, however, have yet to resume.