British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is attending a landmark peace summit in Egypt on Monday for the signing ceremony of the Gaza Peace Plan, marking a historic turning point for the region following two years of conflict and bloodshed in Gaza, reports 24brussels.
To address the pressing humanitarian issues facing civilians in Gaza, Starmer will announce £20 million of UK aid aimed at ensuring water, sanitation, and hygiene services reach tens of thousands across the region.
The funding, delivered through UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), is intended to support those grappling with famine, malnutrition, and disease.
The Prime Minister is expected to assert that the UK will take a leading role in the next phase of the peace plan as the country hosts a three-day conference focused on Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction.
The Wilton Park summit will convene a coalition of representatives from businesses, civil society, and governments to plan and coordinate essential efforts for postwar Gaza.
Discussions will also prioritize the support for the Palestinian Authority’s transformation and reform programme to enable it to effectively assist Gaza’s recovery.
Reconstruction efforts will be Palestinian-led, explicitly excluding any role for Hamas in future governance.
The conference will see participation from a range of international partners including Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority, along with private sector stakeholders and international development financial institutions like the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the World Bank.
Starmer stated, “We stand determined to seize this opportunity to deliver a lasting peace, and a stable, secure future for the whole region. Today is the first, crucial phase of ending this war and now we must deliver the second phase, in full.”
He affirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting the next stage of talks to ensure the full implementation of the peace plan, enabling people on both sides to rebuild their lives in safety.
At the summit, attendees will also explore strategies to mobilize private sector resources necessary to address the extensive reconstruction required after more than two years of conflict that have resulted in 92% of homes being damaged or destroyed.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper highlighted, “The UK has worked intensively with international partners in recent months to create the momentum that has led to President Trump’s peace initiative, and to support the ceasefire that is now in place, but we now need to work with the same intensity and urgency to develop a plan for Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction.”
Cooper elaborated on the devastation in Gaza, underscoring the ceasefire as an opportunity to urgently advance humanitarian efforts and to prepare for Gaza’s future recovery. Immediate tasks include clearing rubble, repairing infrastructure, restoring healthcare, and rebuilding homes.
The announced £20 million aid package is part of the UK’s broader £116 million aid commitment to the Palestinian people this year, which includes £74 million already earmarked for life-saving assistance like food and shelter in response to the ongoing crisis in Gaza. This encompasses £3.5 million for the Norwegian Refugee Council, £7 million for emergency food assistance via WFP, and £9.7 million allocated to UNICEF for its critical operations in the region.
Overall, the UK has contributed £74 million in humanitarian support to Palestine during the current financial year.
