Keir Starmer in Egypt for Gaza peace summit
The prime minister arrived at Sharm el-Sheikh International Airport in Egypt late on Sunday for an international summit where a peace plan for Gaza is set to be signed.
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to pay tribute to US President Donald Trump at the summit in Sharm el-Sheikh, according to Downing Street.
A ceasefire in Gaza began on Friday after Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of a ceasefire and hostage return deal brokered by Trump, with further negotiations planned for later phases.
The summit on Monday will be led by US President Trump and Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, with over 20 countries' leaders attending, as per a spokesman for Sisi.
As part of the deal, Hamas has until Monday at 12:00 to release all Israeli hostages, while Israel should release Palestinian prisoners and detainees, and increase aid to Gaza.
Details for later phases of the agreement, such as governance of Gaza, Israeli troop withdrawal, and disarming Hamas, may be challenging to agree upon.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson mentioned the UK's involvement in shaping the Gaza peace plan, stating that the UK played a key role in diplomacy behind the scenes.
The UK's role was questioned by Israel's deputy foreign minister Sharren Haskel, who criticized the UK's decisions, including recognizing Palestinian statehood, for emboldening Hamas.
The summit in Egypt is seen as a significant moment after years of conflict, with Sir Keir expected to thank Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and Trump for their efforts towards the ceasefire. French President Macron will also attend to express support for the agreement.
Trump announced his plans to travel to the region, addressing Israel's parliament before heading to Egypt, where leaders from around the world have been invited.
The ceasefire came into effect after Israel approved the first phase of Trump's deal, leading to partial troop withdrawal from Gaza. The UK stated it will not send troops to monitor the ceasefire.
The UK will host a summit to discuss Gaza's recovery and reconstruction, with attendees from various countries, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Germany, and the Palestinian Authority.
The UK will continue to support the peace process through various means, including exploring avenues for private finance in Gaza.
The conflict in Gaza was sparked by Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel in October 2023, resulting in casualties and hostages. The ceasefire aims to bring an end to the violence and pave the way for peace and stability in the region.