International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, 14 Jul 2008

Special Mideast envoy Tony Blair will visit the Gaza Strip this week, a Hamas spokesman announced Monday, a move that has upset Israeli officials and caused concern abroad that it my serve to legitimize Hamas rule there.

Blair's office has yet to confirm the visit and he is not expected to meet with Hamas officials, but his visit could be read as recognition of the Hamas regime in Gaza.

Palestinian businessmen said Blair intends to meet traders and inspect a northern Gaza waste water project being built with international funds.

Israeli government spokesman Mark Regev declined to comment directly on a Blair visit to Gaza but said Israel supported Blair's work to grow the Palestinian economy on behalf of the Middle East Quartet - the US, EU, Russia and the UN.

Some media reports indicated Israeli officials cancelled a scheduled meeting with Blair today in protest of his planned Gaza visit.

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