Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire and hostage deal in Gaza, describing it as “long-overdue news” amidst months of devastating conflict in the Middle East. The UK Prime Minister pledged Britain’s support in efforts to “break the cycle of violence and secure long-term peace,” reiterating his commitment to a two-state solution as the path forward for Israelis and Palestinians.
The agreement, brokered after protracted negotiations in Qatar, marks a turning point in one of the deadliest conflicts in recent history. Starmer paid tribute to the victims, including British citizens killed in the violence. At least 12 Britons and over 1,200 Israelis were murdered in Hamas’s surprise attack on October 7, 2023, which triggered widespread fighting. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has led to the deaths of more than 46,000 Palestinians, displaced 90% of Gaza’s population, and created a dire humanitarian crisis.
Speaking on Wednesday evening, Starmer said: “After months of devastating bloodshed and countless lives lost, this is the long-overdue news that the Israeli and Palestinian people have desperately been waiting for. The brutal terrorists of Hamas committed the deadliest massacre of Jewish people since the Holocaust, and this ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope amidst immense suffering.”
Starmer also reflected on the plight of hostages taken during the October 7 attack, stating: “The hostages, who were brutally ripped from their homes on that day and held captive in unimaginable conditions ever since, can now finally return to their families. But we should also use this moment to pay tribute to those who won’t make it home – including the British people who were murdered by Hamas. We will continue to mourn and remember them.”
The ceasefire includes the release of dozens of hostages held by Hamas and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli custody. It also allows displaced residents of Gaza to begin returning to what remains of their homes, though rebuilding efforts face significant challenges.
“For the innocent Palestinians whose homes turned into a warzone overnight and the many who have lost their lives, this ceasefire must allow for a huge surge in humanitarian aid,” Starmer urged, highlighting the urgent need to address Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.
Starmer’s remarks were echoed by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who described the agreement as “a moment of hope after over a year of agony.” However, he cautioned that “much remains to be done” to secure a lasting resolution to the conflict. Lammy emphasised the suffering endured by both Israelis and Palestinians, noting that for many in Gaza, “this has been a living nightmare.”
The sister of two British citizens killed in the conflict, Ayelet Svatitzky, spoke about the personal toll of the violence. Her brothers, Roi and Nadav Popplewell, were killed, and her mother, Channah Peri, was taken hostage by Hamas. “Every hostage released is a relief for them, for the families, and for us,” she said. “But there will never be any closure for us until all the hostages are back.”
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Community groups and political leaders across Britain reacted with cautious optimism. The Board of Deputies of British Jews expressed hope that the ceasefire would lead to an end to suffering and pave the way for peace and security for all civilians. Its president, Phil Rosenberg, stated: “We will not cease our advocacy until the last hostage is home.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey described the deal as “a moment of hope after many months of darkness and despair.” He called for immediate action to flood Gaza with desperately needed humanitarian aid. Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney echoed similar sentiments, hoping the ceasefire would mark the beginning of a long-term political solution but acknowledged that “significant work” remains to ensure lasting security.
The ceasefire represents a fragile but critical opportunity to address the underlying causes of the conflict. Starmer concluded his statement by reaffirming the UK’s commitment to working with its allies to build a future grounded in peace, security, and mutual recognition for Israelis and Palestinians. The path ahead remains fraught, but for now, the agreement offers a moment of relief in an otherwise devastating chapter of history.
