Starmer in Egypt: Today is ‘first crucial phase’ in ending war, UK will ‘lead efforts’ to advance Gaza reconstruction

By Nava Freiberg

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13 October 2025, 11:30 am

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Nava Freiberg is The Times of Israel's deputy diplomatic correspondent.

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer (third from right) is greeted by UK Ambassador to Egypt Mark Bryson-Richardson in Egypt's Red Sea resort town of Sharm Al-Sheikh on October 12, 2025, ahead of a world leaders' summit on ending the Gaza war (Suzanne Plunkett / POOL / AFP)

Amid the release of the 20 living hostages from Gaza under the first phase of the US-backed plan to end the war, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declares in a post on X that “Today is the first, crucial phase in ending the war in the Middle East.”

Speaking from Egypt ahead of today’s international summit in Egypt to advance US President Donald Trump’s framework, Starmer adds: “Now we must deliver lasting peace and a secure future for the whole region. The [United Kingdom] is providing additional humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza, and we will lead efforts to accelerate its reconstruction.”

Today is the first, crucial phase in ending the war in the Middle East.

Now we must deliver lasting peace and a secure future for the whole region.

The UK is providing additional humanitarian aid for civilians in Gaza, and we will lead efforts to accelerate its reconstruction.

— Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) October 13, 2025