Sir Keir Starmer has hailed a breakthrough in the Gaza peace process as a “moment of profound relief that will be felt around the world”.
The prime minister called for full implementation of a US-brokered peace agreement “without delay”, praising Donald Trump’s “tireless diplomatic efforts”.
The US president said on Wednesday that the warring parties had agreed to the “first phase” of his peace plan, to pause fighting and release at least some hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
The deal could pave the way for an end to the war, the eventual release of all the Israeli hostages, the withdrawal of Israeli forces and the entry of aid into Gaza.
During a trip to Mumbai, Sir Keir said: “We call on all parties to meet the commitments they have made, to end the war and to build the foundations for a just and lasting end to the conflict and a sustainable path to a long-term peace.”
The PM added: “This is a moment of profound relief that will be felt all around the world, but particularly for the hostages, their families, and for the civilian population of Gaza, who have all endured unimaginable suffering over the last two years.”
The “tireless diplomatic efforts” of the US, as well as Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, have been crucial in moving towards peace, the prime minister said.
He added: “This agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay, and accompanied by the immediate lifting of all restrictions on lifesaving humanitarian aid to Gaza.
“The UK will support these crucial immediate steps and the next stage of talks to ensure the full implementation of the peace plan.”
The news comes just two days after the second anniversary of the 7 October attacks on Israel by Palestinian militant group Hamas on, which sparked the current conflict. Nearly 1,200 people were killed during the incursion, and around 250 were taken as hostages into Gaza.
Israel’s military campaign, launched in retaliation, has led to the death of tens of thousands of Palestinians, devastated Gaza, and revealed faultlines in global politics.
Hamas is planning to release the 20 living hostages it still has in captivity, and Israel will free Palestinian prisoners in return.
Yvette Cooper said the Gaza peace plan must be implemented as quickly as possible.
Speaking to reporters at Hillsborough Castle, where she is hosting a Western Balkans summit, the Foreign Secretary said: "The agreement on the first phase of President (Donald) Trump's peace initiative is a moment of profound significance, relief and hope. And I want to pay tribute to the negotiators from the US, from Qatar, from Egypt, from Turkey, and all the many nations who have been working so hard over many months to help get to this point.
"After two years of the most devastating suffering, with tens of thousands of lives being lost, with the pain of hostages held for so long, and with the humanitarian crisis taking place, the agreement now to a ceasefire, to the restoration of humanitarian aid and to the release of all the hostages is immensely important and must be implemented as swiftly as possible."
She added: "Later today I will be travelling from here with the German foreign minister, my colleague, to Paris for the discussions later today about how all nations can support the immensely work that has been done thus far on President Trump's peace initiative, but also how we make sure that we take it forward."
With the approval of the first phase of the plan, all our hostages will be brought home. This is a diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel.
— Benjamin Netanyahu - בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) October 8, 2025
From the beginning, I made it clear: we will not rest until all our hostages return and all our goals…
Cabinet minister Pat McFadden said the world “wakes up this morning with more hope about this situation than has been the case for the past two years”.
The work and pensions secretary told Sky News: “This is a really big moment for the world in the short term. What everybody wants to see is all the hostages, alive or dead, released from Gaza, more humanitarian aid going in to help the people of Gaza, and that’s a huge prize in itself.
“But the bigger prize, the really big prize, is not just to stop what’s been happening for the last two years and to release the hostages, but actually to have a more secure future there. So I think the biggest excitement about this comes with that possibility.”
He said the hope is tempered by the risk that either side collapses the deal, but that it is still “a big moment for the world”.
Emily Damari, a British-Israeli citizen who was held captive by Hamas for more than a year before being released in January, posted a video to Instagram celebrating the news with friends, who include her fellow former hostage Romi Gonen.
The group can be seen hugging each other and dancing around a room as they toast “L’chaim”, meaning “to life”.
Eli Sharabi, another freed hostage whose wife and two daughters were killed during the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023, wrote on social media: “Great joy, can’t wait to see everyone home.”
Vicky Cohen, the mother of hostage Nimrod Cohen, wrote on X (formerly Twitter): “My child, you are coming home.”
In March, Nimrod’s father, Yehuda Cohen, spoke at the Israeli embassy in London, urging Benjamin Netanyahu to move a ceasefire deal forward.
Early on Thursday, Mr Netanyahu called the deal a “diplomatic success and a national and moral victory for the State of Israel”.
He wrote on X: “From the beginning, I made it clear: we will not rest until all our hostages return and all our goals are achieved.
“Through steadfast resolve, powerful military action, and the great efforts of our great friend and ally President Trump, we have reached this critical turning point. I thank President Trump for his leadership, his partnership, and his unwavering commitment to the safety of Israel and the freedom of our hostages.”
UN secretary general Antonio Guterres urged all parties to adhere to the terms of the deal as he said the UN would support its “full implementation”.
Speaking on Fox News in the US on Thursday, Mr Trump said hostages would “probably” start being released on Monday.
I welcome the announcement of an agreement to secure a ceasefire & hostage release in Gaza, based on the proposal put forward by @POTUS. I commend the diplomatic efforts of the United States, Qatar, Egypt & Türkiye in brokering this desperately needed breakthrough.
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) October 9, 2025
I urge all…
“The whole world came together, to be honest. The world has come together around this deal,” Mr Trump said. “It’s been really an amazing period of time. So great for Israel, so great for Muslims and the Arab countries.
“You’ll see people getting along, and Gaza will be rebuilt.”
He continued: “Gaza, we believe, is going to be a much safer place, and it’s going to be a place that reconstructs, and other countries in the area will help it reconstruct because they have tremendous amounts of wealth, and they want to see that happen. I’m very confident there’ll be peace in the Middle East.”
Mr Trump announced that Hamas and Israel had come to agreement on his social media platform Truth Social.
He said: “This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace.
“All Parties will be treated fairly!”
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