Khaberni - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Tuesday that the UK could play a leading role in helping disarm the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the Gaza Strip, based on its experience in encouraging armed groups in Northern Ireland to lay down their arms.
Starmer told the parliament that disarming the sector would be crucial for the continuation of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and it is the first phase of a 20-point peace framework set by US President Donald Trump to bring peace to the Palestinian sector.
Jonathan Powell, Starmer's national security advisor, was the mastermind behind the so-called Good Friday Agreement of 1998, which largely ended three decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland, having worked alongside former Prime Minister Tony Blair who is a candidate to undertake a role in Gaza.
Three European diplomats also mentioned that the case of Northern Ireland is being cited as a potential future model for Gaza despite their indication that there is no comprehensive plan yet.
Starmer said, "Of course, it will be difficult, but it is vital. It was difficult in Northern Ireland concerning the Irish Republican Army, but it was vital."
He added, "That's why we said we are ready to help in the disarmament process based on our experience in Northern Ireland. I won’t pretend it will be easy, but it is extremely important."
The Irish Republican Army, a predominantly Catholic group seeking the unification of Ireland, stated in 2005 that it would formally end its armed struggle. It refused to dispose of its weapons openly but agreed to the presence of independent observers who reported three months later that it had decommissioned its weapons.
The peace agreement in Northern Ireland covered everything from police reform to the early release of paramilitary prisoners, disarmament of paramilitary groups, and the "normalization" of security arrangements.
However, the Irish Republican Army never governed Northern Ireland, unlike the Hamas movement that has been governing the sector since 2007 and oversees all aspects of public life.
Variety
Jonathan Powell was in Egypt last Monday attending an international summit about Gaza alongside Starmer. The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) says he was there last week during the final touches on the negotiations.
On Monday, Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy, thanked Powell in a post on the X platform for "his wonderful contributions and tireless efforts."
In Gaza, Israeli officials said that any final settlement must include the permanent disarmament of Hamas.
Trump also stated that he would establish a "Peace Council" to oversee governance in Gaza. He initially proposed that Blair join this council, but said last Sunday that he needed to know if this was "an acceptable option for everyone."
On Tuesday, Trump confirmed to reporters at the White House that Hamas would give up its weapons and that it had informed him of this, adding: "If they don’t do it, we will take care of it." He reiterated that disarming Hamas would happen quickly, maybe violently, according to him.
Hamas has repeatedly stated through several of its leaders that the arms of the resistance are "not up for discussion" and that they are only prepared to hand them over to the upcoming Palestinian state.
