Keir Starmer volunteers UK to oversee disarming Gaza terror group Hama | Politics | News
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer suggested that Britain could undertake the important task of disarming the terrorist organization Hamas as part of the peace process in Gaza. Hostages kidnapped by Hamas in the attack on Israel in October 2023 are now being sent back to their homes as part of the peace agreement negotiated by US President Donald Trump. But this is only the beginning of a process that, under the terms of the peace agreement, must include the disarmament of Hamas and the establishment of a new government in Gaza. Time will tell whether Hamas will comply with this.
The UK’s experience in reaching a deal with the IRA after decades of conflict in Northern Ireland means we may be “well placed” to oversee the disarmament of Hamas, Sir Keir Starmer has said. He told Sky News: “It is critical now that all parties meet their commitments; the disarmament of Hamas is huge and critical for future peace. We have experience of that with Northern Ireland and the disarmament of the IRA, and so I think the UK will be well placed to fulfill that vital role.”
Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007 with an armed coup against the Palestinian government, which continues to govern parts of the West Bank.
Although Sir Keir appeared unconcerned about Sir Tony’s involvement, the Conservative Party welcomed former Labor Prime Minister Sir Tony Blair to help oversee the peace deal.
Conservative former foreign secretary Lord Hague said it would be a “good thing” if former prime minister Sir Tony Blair was included in the Gaza peace council, which will be chaired by US President Donald Trump.
“Indeed, whatever you think of his role in Iraq, it is an achievement for him that he has remained fully engaged on the Palestinian issue since leaving office 18 years ago,” Lord Hague told the Cheltenham Literature Festival.
“He brings a lot of knowledge and credibility to this issue, and he’s clearly been a part of formulating the Trump plan. I think it would be good for him to be involved in this.”
“You either have to have hard power or you have to involve very knowledgeable and persuasive people.
“He’s one of the people this country has, I think that would be a good thing.”
Sir Keir Starmer said it would be “for others to decide” whether Sir Tony Blair should sit on the Gaza peace council chaired by Donald Trump.
He said he had not put himself forward for a role on the board.
“There is ongoing debate about who should be on the board, but I can be clear to you that I have not put myself forward for that role.
“But what I’m putting myself out there for and what I’m pushing for as a country is to ensure that we continue to do what we’re best at, which is to use our experience with disarmament and ceasefire monitoring, as we’ve been doing behind the scenes, to bring this agreement to where it is today, which is very important.”
