Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer will attend an international peace summit in Egypt on Monday to sign a peace plan for Gaza. The summit, held in Sharm El-Sheikh, will be co-chaired by US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The signing ceremony will mark a new phase in the peace process following the recent ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
The Peace Summit and Broader Peace Plan
Summit Details: The summit will be attended by leaders from over 20 countries. Sir Keir is expected to express gratitude to the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey for their roles in brokering the agreement.
The Three-Phase Plan: The current ceasefire is the first of a three-phase plan. The initial phase, which came into effect on Friday, involves a hostage-for-prisoner exchange and an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza. Subsequent phases, which will be negotiated later, will address more complex issues like the administration of Gaza, the withdrawal of Israeli troops, and the disarmament of Hamas.
Controversy: The prime minister's attendance has been criticized by shadow foreign minister Dame Priti Patel, who called it a "photo opportunity" and stated that the UK has "played no part whatsoever" in the ceasefire. She also suggested that the prime minister should be focusing on domestic issues.
The Ceasefire and Humanitarian Aid
Hostage and Prisoner Exchange: Under the terms of the first phase, Hamas has until Monday at 12:00 (09:00 GMT) to release all Israeli hostages, including 20 believed to be alive, and the remains of 28 deceased hostages. In return, approximately 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 from Gaza will be released.
Humanitarian Assistance: A key part of the agreement is the increased delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has stated that the UK will support the peace process by exploring private financing options for reconstruction in the region.
Military Presence: While Israel has partially withdrawn troops from Gaza, they continue to occupy half of the territory. The US is moving up to 200 troops to a "civil-military coordination center" in Israel, and forces from Arab and Muslim nations like Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey are also expected to be involved in a monitoring force. The UK has stated it has no plans to contribute British troops to this force.
