Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged that the UK will take a leading role in rebuilding Gaza, as world leaders gathered in Egypt for the signing of a landmark peace plan aimed at ending more than two years of conflict.
At the Cairo summit, Sir Keir confirmed that Britain will provide £20 million in humanitarian aid to support water, sanitation and hygiene services for civilians across Gaza. The funding, delivered through UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), will help those facing famine, malnutrition and disease.
The Prime Minister also announced that the UK will host a three-day reconstruction conference at Wilton Park, bringing together representatives from government, business and civil society to coordinate Gaza’s recovery. The talks will focus on rebuilding essential infrastructure, restoring healthcare, and supporting reforms within the Palestinian Authority.
Officials said reconstruction will be Palestinian-led, with no role for Hamas in Gaza’s future governance.
Speaking at the summit, Sir Keir said:
“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.”
The Cairo meeting is being attended by international partners including Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority, alongside financial institutions such as the World Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said the UK had worked “intensively” with partners to build momentum for the peace process.
“Gaza has been completely devastated,” she said. “The ceasefire gives us the opportunity not just to scale up humanitarian efforts, but also to look ahead to Gaza’s recovery. Long-term rebuilding must be Palestinian-led, but broad public and private investment will be vital.”
The Foreign Secretary will continue diplomatic efforts this week, including a meeting in London with Crown Prince Al Hussein of Jordan to support the peace plan’s implementation.
The £20 million aid package forms part of the UK’s wider £116 million support for Palestinians this year, including £74 million already provided for food, shelter and emergency relief in Gaza.
