Keir Starmer described the day as significant in the quest for peace in Gaza but cautioned against any missteps. The Prime Minister highlighted that the real challenge for Gaza lies in the future and the actual execution of plans post the peace deal signed by Donald Trump. He deferred the decision on whether former Labour PM Tony Blair should serve on the peace board for Gaza under the US President.
Starmer emphasized the importance of the upcoming actions, especially in discussions with other leaders on the role the United Kingdom can play, particularly in monitoring the ceasefire and aiding in disarming Hamas, drawing from experiences in Northern Ireland. He stressed the need to focus on implementation without any errors.
The Prime Minister was present at the signing event of the Gaza peace agreement in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, alongside US President Donald Trump and global leaders. They marked a critical step towards peace in the Middle East. The summit, co-hosted by Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, coincided with the release of 20 Israeli hostages after two years in captivity, with Israel agreeing to free Palestinian prisoners in return.
Among the released hostages was Avinatan Or, who was abducted at the Nova festival in 2023. Starmer expressed relief at their release and acknowledged the suffering they endured under Hamas. He thanked the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Türkiye for their diplomatic efforts and emphasized the need for unified commitment to implementing Trump’s peace plan for Gaza.
A top US official commended the UK and Starmer’s key aide for their crucial roles in the peace summit efforts. However, this praise was in contrast to remarks by the American ambassador to Israel, who criticized a UK minister for similar claims.
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