Blair’s trip to the Middle East comes just days after Israel released 255 Palestinian prisoners in an attempt to bolster Mahmoud Abbas. The prisoners largely belong to Abbas’s Fatah party. Dismissed Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas said the release of the prisoners is a trap set by Israel.

Ismail Haniyeh: “We are pleased with the release of any Palestinian prisoner, but we warn against the use of these issues as political bribes and traps set in our path under the guise of Israeli good intentions. We warn against the so-called good intentions of the Israelis.”

Israel continues to hold about 11,000 Palestinians in prison.