Keir Starmer expressed his approval of the initial phase of the Israel-Hamas agreement aimed at halting the violence in Gaza, calling it a momentous occasion with global significance. Concurrently, Donald Trump’s recent declaration, potentially leading to hostage release, was met with great enthusiasm.
Through his Truth Social Platform, President Trump announced the imminent release of all hostages and Israel’s withdrawal to an agreed line, marking the beginning of a robust and enduring peace process. He extended gratitude to mediators and participating nations for their contributions to this historic event.
In a statement released early Thursday, Keir Starmer lauded the agreement’s positive impact on hostages, their families, and the civilian population in Gaza, who have endured immense suffering. He credited the relentless diplomatic efforts of the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey for progress towards peace.
Emphasizing the urgent need for full implementation of the agreement and immediate removal of humanitarian aid restrictions in Gaza, Starmer stressed the importance of swiftly moving forward with the peace plan. British-Israeli captive Emily Damari shared a celebratory video on Instagram, joined by former hostage Romi Gonen, while freed hostage Eli Sharabi, who lost his family in a prior attack, expressed joy at the prospect of reunification.
The UK committed to supporting the ongoing peace talks and ensuring the successful execution of the peace plan, urging all parties to honor their commitments for a lasting resolution to the conflict.