Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said that he “strongly welcomes” the Gaza peace plan, as he gave a press conference alongside in India today.
The Prime Minister is leading a delegation of more than 100 entrepreneurs, cultural leaders and university vice-chancellors, as he attempts to boost UK investment and improve economic growth.
Mr Starmer told reporters: “I strongly welcome the news that a deal has been reached on the first stage of a peace plan in Gaza.
“This is a moment of profound relief that we have felt around the world but particularly for the hostages, their families and for the civilian population of Gaza, who have all endured unimaginable suffering over the last two years.
“I’m grateful to the tireless diplomatic efforts of Egypt, Qatar, the United States and many others in securing this crucial first step.
“This agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay, and be accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on lifesaving humanitarian aid to Gaza.
“The UK will support these crucial immediate steps at the next stages of the tools to ensure the full implementation of the peace plan.”
This comes as US President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday:”I am very proud to announce that Israel and Hamas have both signed off on the first phase of our peace plan.
“This means that all of the hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a strong, durable, and everlasting peace.
“Blessed are the peacemakers!”
He later said: “The whole world has come together on this one, Israel, every country has come together.
“This has been a fantastic day. This is a great day for the world. This is a wonderful day, a wonderful day for everybody.”
Under Donald Trump’s 20-point peace plan, Gaza will be “deradicalised and redeveloped,” Hamas’s Israeli hostages will be freed after more than two years in captivity, and former UK Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair will lead a new “Board of Peace”.
The agreement also includes the release of all Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners, along with the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pledged to ensure the release of all the hostages saying: “With God’s help, we will bring them all home.”
Israel is understood to be expecting the first hostages to be released on Saturday.
Hamas, meanwhile, called on Mr Trump and other “guarantor states” to ensure Israel implements the deal.
More to follow…