Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) has declared his priority is implementing the new Middle East peace deal rather than focusing on Sir Tony Blair's involvement in Gaza. The Prime Minister emphasised his commitment to making the agreement work during his trade visit to India. He told reporters he is "less interested in … discussions of personnel" when questioned about Sir Tony's role in the peace plan.
Donald Trump announced an agreement between Israel and Hamas late on Wednesday to pause fighting in Gaza and exchange hostages and prisoners. Sir Keir personally thanked the US president for securing what he called the "first phase" of the plan. When asked if Trump deserves the Nobel Peace Prize, Sir Keir said the agreement "would not have happened without President Trump's leadership".
Trump's leadership praised
Speaking at a press conference in Mumbai, Sir Keir added: "I want to be really clear about that and I say that from the informed position of the UK having played a part behind the scenes in this with the US and with the mediators." The former prime minister Sir Tony was named by Trump as part of a "Board of Peace" to oversee an interim governing authority for Gaza.
Sir Keir emphasised his focus on implementation over personnel discussions. "I'm less interested, to be perfectly frank, in discussions about personnel than I am in getting it implemented," he said. "The UK has played an important part behind the scenes in relation to these negotiations, working with the US mediators, and we stand ready to play our part in implementing this."
Deal details and context
The agreement comes two days after the second anniversary of the October 7 attacks when nearly 1,200 people were killed and around 250 taken hostage. Israel's retaliatory military campaign has led to tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths and devastated Gaza. Hamas plans to release 20 living hostages still in captivity while Israel will free Palestinian prisoners in exchange.
Sir Keir acknowledged the "tireless diplomatic efforts" of Egypt, Qatar and Turkey alongside the US in securing the deal. He described the peace agreement as a "moment of profound relief that will be felt around the world". Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK "stands ready to play our part not just in supporting the implementation of phase one of the peace initiative, but also on the crucial work going forward now on phase two as well".
Political and international response
Cooper will travel to Paris on Thursday for discussions on supporting Trump's peace initiative. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called the deal "hugely welcome" while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said it "must be the first step towards a two-state solution and a lasting peace". UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged all parties to obey the terms as the UN pledged support for "full implementation".
Emily Damari, a British-Israeli held captive for more than a year before being released in January, posted a video celebrating with friends including fellow former hostage Romi Gonen. The group were seen hugging and dancing while toasting "L'chaim", meaning "to life". Eli Sharabi, a freed hostage whose wife and two daughters were killed during Hamas' attack, wrote on social media: "Great joy, can't wait to see everyone home."
Bittersweet emotions for families
Sharone Lifschitz, whose parents were taken hostage on October 7, said: "Hearing just now that a ceasefire has taken hold fills me with hope that the remaining 20 hostages, now confirmed to be alive, will soon be reunited with their families." Her father, 84-year-old Israeli peace activist and former journalist Oded Lifschitz, died in captivity while her mother was released after two weeks.
Adam Ma'anit, a British-Israeli writer and campaigner, said it was a "bittersweet day" for his family as they could not bring his cousin Tsachi Idan home alive. He described the "mix of relief and heartbreak" felt by families, adding: "relief that they may at last come home, and heartbreak that for some, it will be for burial." Dr Lifschitz added: "For us, this moment brings enormous joy, laced with the profound pain of those we lost, including the 42 hostages, like my father, who could have been saved had a deal been reached earlier."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the deal a "diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel". Trump said on Fox News that hostages would "probably" start being released on Monday, declaring: "The whole world came together, to be honest. The world has come together around this deal."
Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
