Recognising Palestinian state helped bring peace to Gaza, says Starmer

London [UK], October 15: Recognising a Palestinian state helped to bring about peace in Gaza, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has told lawmakers.
Addressing lawmakers after his return from the peace summit in Egypt, the prime minister said the United Kingdom had been in a position to work "behind the scenes" for a ceasefire "precisely because of the approach this government takes."
He said: "That does include our decision to recognize the state of Palestine."
"Because this move, taken alongside our allies France, Canada, Australia and others, helped lead to the historic New York declaration, where for the first time the entire Arab League condemned the atrocities of October 7, urged Hamas to disarm and, crucially, demanded that they end their rule in Gaza."
But Starmer also stressed that the peace deal signed on Monday belonged to US President Donald Trump.
He said: "This is his deal." The agreement was signed by Trump at a ceremony in Sharm el-Sheikh, along with negotiators from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey.
Israel and Hamas were not present at the summit.
Monday also saw all 20 remaining living Israeli hostages released by Hamas, while Israel released more than 1,900 prisoners and detainees under the first phase of the deal.
Starmer told lawmakers that Monday's deal provided "a moment of profound relief" as he paid tribute to both the hostages and the civilians killed in Gaza.
Source: Qatar Tribune