Sir Keir Starmer has hailed Israel and Hamas‘ landmark agreement to phase one of a peace deal as a ‘moment of profound relief that will be felt around the world’.
Donald Trump announced late last night that the two sides have agreed to the first stage of his plan to pause fighting and release at least some of the hostages.
In a phone call with the families of Israelis still held captive by Hamas, the US president told them their loved ones would be returning home as early as Monday.
Responding to the news, Sir Keir said: ‘I welcome the news that a deal has been reached on the first stage of President Trump’s peace plan for Gaza.
‘This is a moment of profound relief that will be felt all 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.’
The ‘tireless diplomatic efforts’ of the US, as well as Egypt, Qatar and Turkey have been crucial in moving towards peace, the Prime Minister said.
He added: ‘This agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza.
‘We call on all parties to meet the commitments they have made, to end the war, and to build the foundations for a just and lasting end to the conflict and a sustainable path to a long-term peace.
Sir Keir Starmer has hailed Israel and Hamas’ landmark agreement to phase one of a peace deal as a ‘moment of profound relief that will be felt around the world’
Donald Trump broke the news to the families of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas that they will all be returning home on Monday
‘The UK will support these crucial immediate steps and the next stage of talks to ensure the full implementation of the peace plan.’
Under Trump’s deal, Hamas plans to release all 20 hostages in exchange for roughly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.
Meanwhile, the Israeli military will begin a withdrawal from the majority of Gaza.
The news comes just two days after the second anniversary of October 7 – the attacks by terror group Hamas on Israel which sparked the current conflict.
Nearly 1,200 people were killed during the incursion, and around 250 people were taken as hostages into Gaza.
Israel’s military campaign, launched in retaliation, has led to the deaths of tens of thousands of Palestinians, has devastated Gaza and revealed fault lines in global politics.
Emily Damari, a British-Israeli who was held captive by Hamas for more than a year before being released in January, posted a video to her Instagram celebrating the news of the peace deal with friends.
The group can be seen hugging each other and dancing around a room as they toast ‘L’chaim’, meaning ‘to life’.
Eli Sharabi, a freed hostage whose wife and two daughters were killed during the October 7 attacks, wrote on social media: ‘Great joy, can’t wait to see everyone home.’
Vicky Cohen, the mother of hostage Nimrod Cohen, added on X: ‘My child, you are coming home.’
After both Israel and Hamas agreed to the first phase of the peace deal, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick held up a speaker phone to hostage families to speak to Trump
Nimrod’s father, Yehuda Cohen, spoke at the Israeli Embassy in London in March urging Mr Netanyahu to move a ceasefire deal forward.
Early on Thursday, Mr Netanyahu called the deal a ‘diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel’.
He wrote on X: ‘From the beginning, I made it clear: we will not rest until all our hostages return and all our goals are achieved.
‘Through steadfast resolve, powerful military action, and the great efforts of our great friend and ally President Trump, we have reached this critical turning point.
‘I thank President Trump for his leadership, his partnership, and his unwavering commitment to the safety of Israel and the freedom of our hostages.’
UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres urged all parties to obey the terms of the deal as he said the UN would support its ‘full implementation’.
Speaking on Fox News in the US on Thursday, Mr Trump said hostages would ‘probably’ start being released on Monday.
‘The whole world came together, to be honest. The world has come together around this deal,’ Mr Trump said.
‘It’s been really an amazing period of time. So great for Israel, so great for Muslims and the Arab countries.
‘You’ll see people getting along and Gaza will be rebuilt.’
He continued: ‘Gaza, we believe is going to be a much safer place and it’s going to be a place that reconstructs and other countries in the area will help it reconstruct because they have tremendous amounts of wealth, and they want to see that happen.
‘I’m very confident there’ll be peace in the Middle East.’
Mr Trump announced Hamas and Israel had come to terms on his social media platform Truth Social.
He said: ‘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.
‘All Parties will be treated fairly!’
