Keir Starmer’s comments came as he attended the signing ceremony of the Gaza peace deal in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, alongside US President Donald Trump and other world leaders
Keir Starmer said it was a “historic day” as countries seek to secure peace in Gaza – but warned there “mustn’t be any missteps”.
The Prime Minister stressed the challenge for Gaza now after Donald Trump signed his peace plan is “tomorrow and implementation”. He also said it was for “others to decide” if the ex-Labour PM Sir Tony Blair should be on the peace board for Gaza to be chaired by the US President.
He added:”What happens tomorrow really matters, and that’s why, what I’ve been discussing with leaders all day is, what part can we play? And we the United Kingdom in particular, I think can play a part in monitoring the ceasefire, but also decommissioning the capability of Hamas and their weaponry drawing on our experience in Northern Ireland.
“So the question today has already moved to, how do we implement how do we make sure this moves forward. It’s really important we keep that focus. We mustn’t have any missteps now.”
It came as Mr Starmer attended the signing ceremony of the Gaza peace deal in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, alongside US President Donald Trump and other world leaders. The PM, who also met with French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian PM Giorgia Meloni, said they were marking “the first, crucial step towards peace in the Middle East”.
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The summit – co-hosted by Mr Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi – came as 20 Israeli hostages were reunited with their families after two years in captivity. In exchange, Israel has agreed to free Palestinian prisoners it has in captivity.
Among the 20 remaining Israeli hostages still alive that were released today was 32-year-old Avinatan Or who was kidnapped at the Nova festival on October 7, 2023.
Mr Starmer earlier said he shared the “deep feeling of relief as Avinatan Or and other hostages are released today”. The PM added: “But this is also a stark reminder of the treatment that he has been subject to at the hands of Hamas, and the atrocities that shook the world two years ago.”
He said: “Having met his family, I know that no one can truly understand the torture and agony they suffered for two drawn out years and my thoughts are with them. My thoughts are also with the family of Yossi Sharabi, who are still waiting for news.
“I reiterate my thanks for the tireless diplomatic efforts of the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye. It is now crucial that we work together to implement President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza, and that will be my focus in Egypt today.
“Commitment to this plan from all parties will be essential to ending the war and building the foundations for a sustainable path to a long-term peace. The UK will support the crucial next stage of talks to ensure the implementation of the peace plan”
Earlier a top US official praised the “vital role” of the UK and Mr Starmer’s key aide in efforts to reach today’s Gaza peace summit. Donald Trump’s Middle East special envoy, Steve Witkoff, paid tribute to the “incredible input” of the Prime Minister’s adviser, Jonathan Powell.
Mr Witkoff’s comments appear to contradict those of the American ambassador to Israel, who publicly mocked a UK minister as “delusional” for making a similar claim.
Posting on X today, Mr Witkoff said: “I would like to acknowledge the vital role of the United Kingdom in assisting and coordinating efforts that have led us to this historic day in Israel. In particular, I want to recognize the incredible input and tireless efforts of National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell.”
It came 24 hours after Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told Sky News the UK had played a “key role behind the scenes in shaping this”.
She added: “These are complex matters of diplomacy that we are involved in. But we do welcome and recognise the critical role the American government played in getting us to this point.”
But the US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, hit back on social media, mocking the Cabinet minister. He said: “I assure you she’s delusional. She can thank [Donald Trump] to set the record straight.”
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