Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair has said the international community must rethink its strategy towards Gaza to avert a humanitarian crisis. Briefing a panel of the European Parliament, Blair called for more food and supplies to be sent, but stopped short of pushing for direct talks with Hamas, listed as a terrorist organisation by the EU: "If we could resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict it would have an enormous benefit, and not only to these two parties but to the wider region, because it would empower the moderate, modernising forces in the whole region and that is essential."

The former UK Prime Minister urged Israel to work with the Palestinian Authority to ensure that supplies reach the Gaza Strip, where most of the 1.5 million people live on handouts.

Blair also endorsed last weekend's deal between Hamas and Fatah, over which differences remain.

He also suggested the current peace process, launched in Annapolis last November, needed fresh impetus.