No plans to send UK troops to help monitor Gaza ceasefire, says Cooper

No plans to send UK troops to help monitor Gaza ceasefire, says Cooper

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper of the UK has confirmed that British troops will not be part of a multinational force to monitor the Gaza ceasefire from Israel. The first phase of a deal with Hamas has been approved by Israel and is now in effect according to its military. Cooper, currently in Paris meeting foreign ministers, emphasized that the UK will continue to support the peace process through other means such as exploring options to bring private finance into Gaza.

In response to the ceasefire agreement, the US is relocating up to 200 troops already stationed in the Middle East to Israel to establish a civil-military coordination center. This center will oversee the progress of the ceasefire and coordinate humanitarian aid efforts. Forces from Arab and Muslim nations like Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey will also participate in observing the truce and reporting any violations, with no American troops entering Gaza as stated by US officials.

Regarding recent comments by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about Europe’s role in peace negotiations, Cooper acknowledged disagreements with Israel but stressed the importance of countries uniting to achieve peace. She highlighted the UK’s contributions to the peace process, including proposing frameworks for peace and recognizing a Palestinian state. Moving forward, the UK aims to engage in discussions with Arab states to attract financial investments into Gaza, which has suffered significant damage due to Israeli military actions.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reiterated the UK’s commitment to peace negotiations and emphasized the country’s behind-the-scenes role in the process. During a trip to Mumbai, Starmer expressed readiness to play a part in implementing the peace plan alongside other nations. Cooper, who traveled to Paris from Northern Ireland with her German counterpart, discussed lessons learned from peace processes in their respective countries with implications for Gaza. She underscored the importance of countries coming together to support peace, resolve conflicts, and rebuild nations

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