Starmer calls for Gaza deal 'without delay' after Hamas accepts plan

Sir Keir Starmer says Hamas’ partial acceptance of a peace plan put forward by US President Donald Trump is a “step forwards” (Leon Neal/PA) Leon Neal

Sir Keir Starmer (Labour) has called Hamas' partial acceptance of Donald Trump's Gaza peace plan a "significant step forwards" and demanded immediate implementation. The Prime Minister welcomed the militant group's willingness to release hostages and hand over power to other Palestinians after nearly two years of war.

Hamas accepted key elements of Trump's proposal but indicated further negotiations would be needed on remaining areas. Senior Hamas official Mousa Abu Marzouk told Al Jazeera the proposal "cannot be implemented without negotiations" on issues including disarmament and the future of Gaza Strip and Palestinian rights.

Strong UK backing for peace efforts

Starmer issued a comprehensive statement supporting Trump's diplomatic initiative. "We strongly support President Trump's efforts, which have brought us closer to peace than ever before," the Prime Minister said. "There is now an opportunity to end the fighting, for the hostages to return home, and for humanitarian aid to reach those who so desperately need it."

He called on all parties to move swiftly towards implementation. "We call on all sides to implement the agreement without delay," Starmer added, confirming the UK's readiness to support continued negotiations towards "sustainable peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike".

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper described this as "a moment that must be seized". "After nearly two years of agony, this is a moment that brings the chance to free the hostages, stop the suffering in Gaza and finally bring this war to an end, and it is a moment that must be seized," Cooper stated.

Trump and Israel welcome developments

Trump welcomed the Hamas statement on social media, posting that he believed they were "ready for a lasting PEACE". The US President called for Israel to "immediately stop the bombing of Gaza, so that we can get the Hostages out safely and quickly!"

Trump described it as a "very special day" and said the end of the war was "very close". He confirmed that discussions on implementation details were already underway.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would work "in full cooperation" with Trump's plan and was preparing to "implement the first phase" concerning hostage releases. Israel had earlier accepted Trump's peace proposal in full.

Plan details and remaining hurdles

The plan calls for the release of the remaining 48 hostages - 20 believed still alive - within three days ahead of the October 7 anniversary. Hamas would give up power and disarm while Israel would halt its offensive and withdraw from much of Gaza.

Among the issues Hamas did not agree to were complete disarmament and the future governance of Gaza Strip, which it said should be negotiated with other Palestinian groups using international law. The territory would be placed under international governance overseen by Trump and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

French President Emmanuel Macron said "the release of all hostages and a ceasefire in Gaza are within reach!" while a spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged "all parties to seize the opportunity".

Sources used: "PA Media" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.