Britain is seeking to position itself as a leading partner in the reconstruction of Gaza, as world leaders gather in Egypt to endorse a US-led ceasefire and peace plan.
Sir Keir Starmer is expected to pledge UK leadership in the rebuilding effort and unveil a £20m humanitarian aid package for civilians facing famine and disease.
The ceasefire, brokered by Donald Trump, has been hailed by Washington as a breakthrough, but Britain’s claim to have played a “key role” in securing it has drawn scepticism from both Israel and American officials.
Starmer and former prime minister Sir Tony Blair will join Trump at a summit in Sharm El Sheikh on Monday to discuss the next phase of the peace plan.
But Blair’s return to Middle East diplomacy has already sparked fresh controversy.
Here’s everything you need to know about the UK’s role in Gaza.
Britain stakes its claim in Gaza’s recovery
At a peace summit in Sharm El Sheikh on Monday, Starmer is expected to pledge to lead rebuilding efforts and announce a £20m humanitarian package to address Gaza’s immediate needs.
Downing Street said the funds will be channelled through UNICEF, the World Food Programme and the Norwegian Refugee Council to provide water, sanitation and hygiene services to tens of thousands facing famine and disease.
The aid forms part of a broader £116m commitment to the Palestinian people this year, including £74m already directed toward food and shelter.
Starmer will also host his own three-day summit on Gaza’s reconstruction, intended to coordinate international efforts for postwar recovery in the territory.
Donald Trump is welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Ben Gurion International Airport (Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty)“The UK will support the next stage of talks to ensure the full implementation of the peace plan,” Starmer is expected to say on Monday.
“Today is the first, crucial phase of ending this war and now we must deliver the second phase, in full.”
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Britain had worked “intensively with international partners in recent months to create the momentum that has led to President Trump’s peace initiative.”
She stressed that recovery “must be Palestinian-led” but would need “broad public and private investment” and expertise from “the City of London to support reconstruction.”
Cooper confirmed on Friday that Britain will not send troops to join the planned international monitoring force but will continue to play a diplomatic and financial role in supporting the ceasefire.
The E3 powers – the UK, France and Germany – have jointly pledged to “support further talks on the next stages of the plan.”
Scepticism over Britain’s ‘key role’
Britain’s claim to have played a “key role” in the peace process has met scepticism from both Israel and the United States.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson told Sky News on Sunday that the UK had been “involved behind the scenes in shaping” the ceasefire, arguing that it was “in all of our interests” to secure lasting peace.
Her remarks prompted an immediate rebuke from the US ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, who reposted the interview and wrote: “I assure you she’s delusional.
“She can thank Donald Trump anytime just to set the record straight.”
Huckabee, part of Trump’s negotiating team, said the peace deal was primarily the result of “the personal leadership of the president.” Trump himself has praised Huckabee and envoy Steve Witkoff for their efforts to “bring about peace in the Middle East.”
Witkoff later offered a more conciliatory view, posting on social media that he “acknowledged the vital role of the United Kingdom in assisting and coordinating efforts” and singled out National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell for his “tireless efforts.”
US and Israeli officials have expressed scepticism over the scale of the UK’s involvement in the Gaza peace deal (Photo: Leon Neal/Pool/Reuters)Israel’s deputy foreign minister, Sharren Haskel, gave a starkly different assessment. Speaking to Sky News, she said she would “have to contradict” the idea that Britain was a leading player “behind the scenes.”
Haskel accused the UK of undermining negotiations by recognising Palestinian statehood “at a very sensitive time,” arguing that the decision had “emboldened Hamas” and “sent the message that the longer they continue this war, they will be rewarded.”
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also criticised European governments for recognising Palestine, calling the decision an “ultimate reward to Islamists.” In an interview with Euronews, he said Europe had become “essentially irrelevant” in shaping ceasefire plans.
Despite the criticism, Downing Street sources have emphasised that Starmer has “underlined Trump’s key role in securing this deal” and that the UK’s contribution has focused on diplomatic coordination and aid logistics rather than direct mediation.
Blair’s comeback divides opinion
Blair is emerging as a central, if controversial, figure in the postwar political framework for Gaza.
The former UK prime minister will join Trump and Starmer at Monday’s peace summit in Egypt, where he is expected to take up a seat on Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace,” a new body intended to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and governance.
Blair’s return to Middle East diplomacy follows his meeting this week with the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) deputy president, Hussein al-Sheikh. It was the first contact between Blair and the PA since Trump announced his 20-point Gaza plan and produced a statement of support from al-Sheikh.
“We have confirmed our readiness to work with President Trump, Mr Blair and the partners to consolidate the ceasefire,” Sheikh said, stressing the need to release hostages, deliver aid and begin reconstruction.
The PA’s endorsement is significant because it is expected to lead Gaza’s reconstruction once Hamas steps aside. However, the scope of the “Board of Peace” remains unclear, including how it will interact with the PA’s technocratic committees and whether it will have decision-making authority.
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