Foreign Secretary Emphasises Diplomatic and Financial Contributions Amid International Security Talks
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has unequivocally confirmed that the United Kingdom has no plans to deploy British military personnel on the ground in Gaza to monitor or police the newly agreed-upon ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. This statement came as the ceasefire, a pause in the devastating two year war, began to take effect. The agreement involves the release of remaining hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, a crucial first step towards deescalation. Cooper, speaking while attending meetings with foreign ministers in Paris, was clear in outlining the UK's position while simultaneously stressing the nation's continued commitment to the broader peace process.
The UK's Foreign Secretary acknowledged that an immediate proposal is in place for the United States to take the lead on a monitoring process. This mechanism is designed to oversee the critical steps of the agreement, including the hostage release and the swift implementation of aid delivery to the war torn territory. US officials have indicated they are moving up to 200 troops to Israel to establish a civil military coordination centre to support this monitoring and humanitarian effort, though US forces will not enter Gaza. Cooper highlighted that while the UK will not contribute troops to this frontline operation, discussions are ongoing regarding a wider "international security force" for the region, and the UK will continue to support these talks and the peace initiative in other significant ways.
The UK's strategy focuses on diplomatic efforts and financial contributions, specifically mentioning looking at ways of injecting private finance into Gaza for reconstruction and stability. Cooper insisted that the UK has "already contributed" to reaching this fragile peace point, citing its role in putting forward proposals for a lasting peace framework and the historic step of recognising the State of Palestine. The Foreign Secretary emphasised that the ceasefire agreement must be seen as "the beginning of the end of the war" and a pathway to a lasting peace for the Middle East region.
Meetings with international counterparts in Paris, which included the French and Saudi Foreign Ministers, were used to underscore the global consensus building around ending the conflict. Cooper also travelled to the meeting with her German counterpart after a previous gathering in Belfast, reflecting on the lessons learned from peace processes in their own countries. Despite some external allegations that the UK had not been a primary player in the immediate deal, the government maintains its vital role behind the scenes. This is still a fragile process, as Cooper noted, but one with a huge momentum that the international community, including the UK, is committed to making work for a better and more peaceful future. The focus remains on establishing a durable peace framework beyond the immediate truce and addressing the catastrophic humanitarian needs in Gaza.