London, Oct 13 (PTI) British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has participated alongside other global leaders in Egypt for an international summit focused on finalizing a peace plan for Gaza. This follows the initial stage of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire which led to the release of Israeli hostages.
From 10 Downing Street, Starmer released a statement expressing “a deep sense of relief” concerning the recent hostage release, which was a result of the ceasefire initiated on the preceding Friday. "I share the deep feeling of relief as Avinatan Or and other hostages are released today; 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," remarked Starmer. "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," he added.
This phase included the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas since the attack on October 7, 2023, in exchange for more than 1,900 Palestinian prisoners detained by Israel. The first stage of the ceasefire agreement, announced by US President Donald Trump last week, provided Hamas with a 72-hour window to carry out the initial phase of the hostage release.
"I reiterate my thanks for the tireless diplomatic efforts of the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey. 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," asserted Starmer.
Trump is poised to oversee Monday's international summit aimed at hashing out details for subsequent phases of the ceasefire. Discussions will cover topics including the governance of Gaza, the extent of Israeli troop withdrawal, and the disarmament of Hamas.
Trump's Middle East envoy Steven Witkoff shared on social media: "I would like to acknowledge the vital role of the UK in assisting and coordinating efforts that have led us to this historic day in Israel. In particular, I want to recognise the incredible input and tireless efforts of National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell." Downing Street stated that the Egyptian summit will include a signing ceremony for the peace plan, marking a "historic turning point for the region after two years of conflict and bloodshed."
The UK’s commitment to the ceasefire does not include plans to send British troops as part of a multinational force that will monitor the ceasefire from Israel. However, the US is coordinating the deployment of up to 200 troops stationed in the region to a civil-military coordination centre in Israel, along with forces from Arab and Muslim nations, such as Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey.
The UK announced a 20 million-pound humanitarian aid package designed to deliver essential water, sanitation, and hygiene services to thousands of civilians in Gaza. "The UK has worked intensively with international partners in recent months to create the momentum that has led to President Trump’s peace initiative and to support the ceasefire that is now in place, but we now need to work with the same intensity and urgency to develop a plan for Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction," stated UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper.
Cooper continued, "Gaza has been utterly devastated. The ceasefire gives us the opportunity not just to urgently scale up humanitarian efforts but also to look to the future of Gaza’s recovery. Rubble must be cleared, infrastructure repaired, healthcare restored, and homes rebuilt."
At the summit, participants will deliberate on mobilizing private sector resources to address the reconstruction needs after more than two years of conflict have left 92 per cent of homes in the region damaged or destroyed.
"The UK will support the next stage of talks to ensure the full implementation of the peace plan, so that people on both sides can rebuild their lives in safety and security," Starmer added.
Meanwhile, UK’s Opposition Conservative shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel described Starmer’s presence at the Sharm El-Sheikh summit as a mere "photo opportunity," arguing that the Labour Party-led government has "had no role whatsoever" in the Gaza ceasefire. "He (Starmer) has spent months undermining Israel, emboldening Hamas, and fuelling antisemitism across the UK," she posted on social media. "This important ceasefire is welcomed. It puts hope above the hatred we’ve seen for too long and is the product of the resolute hard work and diplomacy by President Trump, Israel, and our allies. Starmer should stop trying to claim any credit for it," she asserted.
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