The UK could take on the key task of disarming terror group Hamas as part of the peace process in Gaza, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has suggested. Hostages kidnapped by Hamas in an attack on Israel in October 2023 are now being returned home, as part of a peace deal negotiated by US President Donald Trump. But this is only the start of the process, which under the terms of the peace deal should include the disarming of Hamas and the establishment of a new government in Gaza. It remains to be seen if Hamas will comply with this.
Sir Keir Starmer said the UK’s experience of agreeing a deal with the IRA, following decades of conflict in Northern Ireland, meant we could be “well placed” to ovsersee disarming Hamas. He told Sky News: “It is critical now that all parties follow through on the commitments, decommissioning of weaponry of Hamas is hugely and critically important for the future peace. We have got experience in this in relation to Northern Ireland and decommissioning of the IRA’s weaponry and that’s why I do think, I have suggested the UK would be well placed to carry out that vital role.”
Hamas seized control of Gaza in an armed coup against the Palestinian government, which continues to govern parts of the West Bank, in 2007.
Tories have welcomed the involvement of former Labour Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair in helping oversee the peace deal – even though Sir Keir appears lukewarm about Sir Tony’s involvement.
Conservative ex-foreign secretary Lord Hague said it would be a “good thing” if former prime minister Sir Tony Blair was involved in the Gaza peace board which would be chaired by US President Donald Trump.
“I think it is to his credit actually, whatever one thinks about his role in Iraq, since he left office 18 years ago, he has remained utterly preoccupied with the Palestinian issue,” Lord Hague told the Cheltenham Literature Festival.
“He does bring a lot of knowledge and credibility to this and clearly has been part of formulating the Trump plan. I think that will be good if he is involved in that.
“You either have to have the hard power or have some very knowledgeable and persuasive people involved.
“He is one of them that this country has got, I think that would be a good thing.”
Sir Keir Starmer said it was for “others to decide” if Sir Tony Blair should be on the peace board for Gaza to be chaired by Donald Trump.
He said he had not put himself forward for a role on the board.
“There are discussions going on about who should be on the board, but I can be clear with you, I haven’t put myself forward for that role.
“But what I have put myself forward for, what I put out country forward for, is to ensure that we keep doing what we’re best at, which is working, as we have done behind the scenes, to help get this deal to where it is today, and drawing on our experience in relation to decommissioning, monitoring the ceasefire, which is essential.”