UK played ‘vital role’ in Gaza peace deal, says Trump aide

The Trump administration’s Middle East envoy has praised the “vital role” of the UK in talks to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.

Steve Witkoff lauded the “incredible input” of National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell in a post on X early on Monday.

The post followed interventions by the US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and Israel’s deputy foreign minister Sharren Haskel who attempted to cast doubt on the UK’s actual involvement in the ceasefire deal.

Huckabee had called Cabinet minister Bridget Phillipson “delusional” for claiming the UK played a “key role” in securing the ceasefire in Gaza in a TV interview on Sunday.

Witkoff wrote: “I would like to acknowledge the vital role of the United Kingdom in assisting and coordinating efforts that have led us to this historic day in Israel.

“In particular, I want to recognize the incredible input and tireless efforts of National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell.”

Keir Starmer’s national security adviser has been speaking to Witkoff almost daily, it is understood.

Meanwhile diplomatic sources have repeatedly told Jewish News how the UK’s attempt to present itself as an “honest broker” in the Middle East has helped shift the view of negotiations amongst some key Arab States.

Starmer is in Sharm El Sheikh to see US president Donald Trump and fellow negotiators from Egypt, Qatar and Turkey sign off the Gaza peace plan, joined by leaders from more than 20 countries.

The summit, co-hosted by the US leader and Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, comes as part of efforts to secure the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that has been holding since Friday.

After the UK last month confirmed recognition of Palestinian statehood – without Hamas leadership – Starmer is understood to want to draw on the Northern Ireland peace process as talks move towards “decommissioning” Hamas.

Powell had played a key role in persuading the PM to accept the controversial move to announce that the UK was recognising a Palestinian state.

Ahead of the Egyptian summit, Trump has travelled to Israel to meet with hostage families and address parliament there, and said before his departure that many in both Israel and Arab countries were “cheering” the agreement and that “everybody’s amazed and they’re thrilled and we’re going to have an amazing time”.

Speaking to reporters while in the air,  Trump deemed the conflict “over”, adding: “I think people are tired of it.”

He also said he hoped to one day visit Gaza, telling travelling reporters: “I’d like to put my feet on it, at least.”

Under the first phase of the agreement brokered by the US president, the remaining hostages held by Hamas are due to be returned to their families and Palestinian prisoners are to be released by Monday morning.

The UK PM will urge those at the Sharm El Sheikh summit to build on the momentum to bring about the second phase of plans to end the conflict.

He is expected to heap praise on Trump and the diplomatic efforts of the other negotiators, as well as commit the UK to playing a key role in rebuilding Gaza.

Starmer will say: “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.

“The UK will support the next stage of talks to ensure the full implementation of the peace plan, so that people on both sides can rebuild their lives in safety and security.”

He will also announce a £20 million humanitarian aid package for Gaza as the UK is set to host a three-day conference on Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the ceasefire provides an opportunity to scale up humanitarian efforts and look to the future of Gaza’s recovery.

The 20-point plan set out by the US president calls for Israel to maintain an open-ended military presence inside Gaza along its border with Israel.

An international force, comprised largely of troops from Arab and Muslim countries, would be responsible for security inside the enclave.

The Israeli military has said it will continue to operate defensively from the roughly 50% of Gaza it still controls after pulling back to the agreed-upon lines.

There are no plans to send British troops to be part of the multinational force that will monitor the truce.

Meanwhile, former prime minister Blair, who was poised to potentially join a “Board of Peace” supervising governance of Gaza under the plans, met the deputy chief of the Palestinian Authority on Sunday.

Trump was asked whether he had spoken with Sir Tony about the possibility of his involvement in the peace plan.

As he travelled to the Middle East, the US president told reporters: “I have, but first I want to find out that Tony would be popular with all, because I just don’t know that.

“I like Tony, I have always liked Tony. But I want to find out that he is an acceptable choice to everybody.”