KEIR Starmer will travel to Egypt tomorrow to attend the Sharm El Sheikh Peace Summit, where he will join world leaders at the signing of the Gaza peace plan – marking what he called “a historic turning point for the region after two years of conflict and bloodshed.”
The PM will pay tribute to US President Donald Trump’s “leadership” in brokering the deal and praise the diplomatic efforts of Egypt, Qatar and Turkey in securing agreement on the first phase, which is expected to see surviving Israeli hostages released and Palestinian prisoners freed on Monday morning.
He will also call for continued international coordination to secure progress on Phase 2 – which includes the decommissioning of Hamas, deployment of a ceasefire monitoring mission and creation of an International Security Force to oversee transitional governance in Gaza.
President Trump confirmed last night that 20 surviving hostages, who have spent two years in Hamas captivity, are due to be released tomorrow.
“It will be a day of joy,” he said.
The US president is expected to fly to Egypt for the signing ceremony alongside Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and other guarantors, before visiting Israel for talks with Benjamin Netanyahu and addressing the Knesset.
Phase one of the three-part process will also see the bodies of 28 deceased hostages returned, though the whereabouts of nine others remain unaccounted for.
Mr Trump said he believed the ceasefire would hold because “everyone is tired of the fighting”.
He added: “Don’t forget, you had October 7, which was a horrible day – 1,200 people killed – but Hamas has lost 58,000 people. That’s big retribution. People understand that.”
Around 200 US troops have already landed in Israel.
Admiral Brad Cooper, head of US Central Command, confirmed he had visited Gaza to discuss a new Centcom-led “civil-military coordination centre” to support post-conflict stabilisation.
The US will coordinate a multinational taskforce in Gaza, likely to include troops from Egypt, Qatar, Turkey and the UAE.
Israel was yesterday preparing to receive the 20 living hostages before noon local time on Monday.
One hospital staged a dress rehearsal with actors to simulate the reunions, prioritising psychological recovery and family contact before medical checks.
“We are very excited, waiting for our son and for all the hostages,” said Hagai Angrest, whose son Matan is among those expected to return.
“We are waiting for the phone call.”
Israeli troops have already pulled back to agreed lines outside major urban areas, triggering a 72-hour deadline for Hamas to free its captives.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of Palestinians have begun streaming north along the coast of Gaza, returning to shattered homes.
“It is an indescribable feeling,” said Nabila Basal, walking with her injured daughter.
“We are very happy the war has stopped, and the suffering has ended.”
The pause in Israeli air operations has allowed hundreds of trucks carrying food and medical supplies to enter Gaza.
“People will find their homes reduced to dust,” said Unicef spokesperson Tess Ingram. Cogat, the Israeli agency overseeing aid, said more than 500 trucks crossed on Friday.
The ceasefire plan will unfold in three stages, beginning with the exchange of hostages for prisoners. Later phases address the governance of Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas – a condition Israel insists is non-negotiable.
But Hamas appeared to test those limits yesterday by mobilising thousands of militants to reassert control in areas vacated by Israeli troops.
Armed units have been seen across several districts, some in civilian clothes and others in Gaza police uniforms.
The group, which must relinquish control under the peace deal, has appointed five new governors – all former brigade commanders – to oversee operations, according to local sources.
The mobilisation order was reportedly sent by text message, calling for a “general mobilisation to cleanse Gaza of outlaws and collaborators with Israel.”
A Hamas official told the BBC: “We cannot leave Gaza at the mercy of thieves and militias backed by the Israeli occupation. Our weapons are legitimate and will remain as long as the occupation continues.”
Regional expert Megan Sutcliffe, of Sibylline Strategic Risk Group, said: “Hamas will argue that demobilisation and disarmament are part of later stages that still need to be negotiated.
“But this mobilisation is clearly a challenge – a way of testing how far they can go before Israel reacts.
“Taking this very visible stance before negotiations are complete is extremely concerning.
“It now borders on the likely that hostilities will resume.”