SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, 13 October (H.S.): British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Egypt late Sunday to join more than 20 world leaders for a major international peace summit aimed at cementing a U.S.-brokered ceasefire plan for Gaza. The summit, co-hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, is scheduled for Monday and will feature a signing ceremony to mark what Downing Street called a historic turning point for the region.
Sir Keir is expected to pay particular tribute to President Trump for his role in mediating the agreement between Israel and Hamas, which brought a halt to hostilities that began in October 2023. The first phase of the deal, which came into effect Friday, mandates the release of all Israeli hostages by Monday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees, alongside a significant increase in humanitarian aid to the war-torn strip.
However, the Prime Minister’s visit has been overshadowed by controversy regarding the UK’s contribution to the peace process. Comments from UK Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson, who claimed Britain played a key role behind the scenes, were sharply rebuked.
The U.S. ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, termed the assertion delusional, while Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel stated the opposite was true, arguing that the UK’s recent recognition of Palestinian statehood had emboldened Hamas. The domestic opposition also criticized the trip, with Shadow Foreign Secretary Dame Priti Patel dismissing it as a photo opportunity and asserting the government had no role whatsoever in the deal.
The summit aims to build international support for the subsequent, more complex phases of the peace plan, which will address the future governance of Gaza, the extent of Israeli troop withdrawal, and the disarmament of Hamas. While Israel and Hamas will not be in attendance, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is confirmed to participate .
The UK will also host a separate three-day summit starting Monday in London to discuss Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
