Labour MPs are “cautiously optimistic” about the Gaza ceasefire but say the UK must play a role in making sure it lasts. (Alamy)
4 min read
Labour MPs say they are cautiously optimistic about the Gaza ceasefire but want the government to play a leading role in making sure it leads to lasting peace.
The opening stages of the ceasefire came into effect on Friday morning UK time, with Israeli troops moving back to an agreed withdrawal line and Palestinians in Gaza beginning to return to the north of the strip.
The plan, led by US President Donald Trump, is expected to then see an increase in humanitarian aid to Gaza, as well as the release of 20 living Israelis held hostage by terrorist group Hamas in exchange for around 250 Palestinian prisoners and 1,700 detainees from Gaza.
The subsequent stages of the ceasefire are set to require further negotiation. Israel refuses to accept Hamas playing any role in government in Gaza, while Hamas says it will not lay down its weapons until the Israeli occupation of Palestine ends.
In a joint statement on Friday afternoon, the leaders of the UK, France and Germany said: “We pay tribute to President Trump’s leadership on the issue, to the diplomatic efforts of the mediators, Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye, and to the vital support from the wider region to secure the agreement.
“It is now of utmost importance that all parties implement their obligations in full and without delay. We stand ready to support further talks on the next stages of the plan and to contribute to it.
“As part of this effort, we agree that the UN Security Council should give its full backing to the plan and support its implementation.”
Emily Thornberry, Labour MP and chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, told PoliticsHome the ceasefire was “brilliant news, most of all for the thousands suffering in Gaza and for the Israeli families whose loved ones remain in captivity”.
“President Trump deserves serious credit. There is no doubt that the Prime Minister has been a vital, sensible voice in his ear,” Thornberry said.
“But now the hard work of securing the peace must begin. We cannot allow another ceasefire to break down.
“To prevent that, there must now be movement on a political agreement on the future of Gaza — which means agreeing a path towards a state for the people of Palestine.”
Tan Dhesi MP, who chairs the Defence Committee, said: “This agreement must be respected by all parties — and the bombardment of Gaza must come to an end. The UK must play its part to help rebuild Gaza from the ruins and secure lasting peace.”
The war began on 7 October 2023 after Hamas launched a terror attack on Israel, killing over 1,200 Israelis and taking over 250 people hostage. The Israeli military campaign in Gaza that followed has killed over 67,000 people, according to the Palestinian health ministry.
Paula Barker, MP for Liverpool Wavertree member of the Labour Friends of Palestine group, told PoliticsHome she was “cautiously optimistic” about the ceasefire.
“There’s always fear that it will collapse given the history that we’ve seen in this conflict and beyond for many decades,” said Barker.
“We have to have some hope that this will be the start of rebuilding, hopefully a lasting ceasefire.”
She expressed concern, however, about former prime minister Tony Blair’s involvement in the ceasefire negotiations and plan for Gaza moving forward, and urged the government to be “bolder” and more “robust” with Israel when it comes to respecting international law.
“He [Blair] hasn’t got a great history or track record in terms of delivery within Middle Eastern politics, so I am incredibly cautious about that,” Barket said.
Melanie Ward, Labour MP for Cowdenbeath & Kirkcaldy, told PoliticsHome the ceasefire was “the most enormous relief” and “guns must be silent, the aid must flow to Gaza, the hostages must be reunited with their loved ones”.
“There is a long road ahead and many potential pitfalls,” said Ward.
“The world must hold close to ensure that politics and diplomacy are the only viable route forward. There can be no return to war for the sake of Palestinians, Israelis and humanity itself.”
Alex Ballinger, the Labour MP for Halesowen who sits on the foreign affairs committee, said it is “now vital that humanitarian aid is restored without delay and that all hostages are released”.
He told PoliticsHome: “These measures are not only urgent but essential for easing the immediate crisis and laying the groundwork for long-term peace in the region.”
In a statement, Labour Friends of Israel said it is “imperative that the next stage of the deal is swiftly agreed and implemented”.
“This will disarm Hamas and ensure it has no role in the future governance of Palestine; begin the reconstruction of Gaza; and sets out a path to a future Palestinian state.
“This has been accepted by Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the Arab states. Having started this terrible conflict, Hamas now has the power to end it.”