Gaza attacks add turmoil to the region, says Blair

The exchange of attacks between Israel and Hamas is adding turmoil to the Arab region says Tony Blair, former British Prime Minister and current Middle East envoy in an interview with Al Arabiya.

“Unless we get to that situation and fast, we are looking at a situation which in a region that is already in turmoil it’s going to add to that turmoil. I think this it's an impact not just Israelis and Palestinians but on everyone in the [Middle East] region,” said Blair.

The attacks came despite signs that Egypt had managed to broker a truce between Israel and Palestinian militants after a five-day surge in violence which saw more than 100 missiles fired out of Gaza and repeated Israeli strikes on the enclave.

“Egypt has a positive role to play and I very much support the efforts they are making,” said Blair.

“It’s possible to try and move the situation forward but if it carries on if you carry on having the rocket attacks coming out Gaza, the retaliation the Israelis will take in response to that then many more innocent people will die and the situation has got the potential to inflame the whole region,” he added.

World leaders have condemned the attacks, and the Arab League said that it will hold an urgent meeting Saturday to discuss the Israeli strike on Gaza.