London (AFP) – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday that the United Kingdom “strongly supports” the peace plan announced by US President Donald Trump to end the war in the Gaza Strip.

Starmer said in a statement, “We strongly support his efforts to end the fighting, release the hostages, and ensure urgent humanitarian aid reaches the people of Gaza. This is our absolute priority and must happen immediately.”

He added, “The new American initiative to end the war in Gaza is very welcome, and I am grateful for President Trump’s leadership.”

The British Prime Minister continued, “We call on all parties to unite and work with the US administration to finalize this agreement and turn it into reality. Hamas must now accept the plan and end this tragedy by laying down its weapons and releasing all remaining hostages.”

In his statement, Starmer emphasized that London will continue working with its partners “to build consensus for a permanent ceasefire. We are all committed to a collective effort to end the war in Gaza and achieve a sustainable peace where Palestinians and Israelis can live side by side in security and peace.”

The American plan, consisting of 20 points and published by the White House on Monday, includes the establishment of a committee chaired by Trump to oversee the transitional process in Gaza.

The plan mainly calls for an immediate end to the war if both parties agree, a phased Israeli withdrawal, and the disarmament of Hamas.

Netanyahu announced his approval of the plan, which Hamas received without immediate response, according to Egyptian and Qatari mediators.

Hamas negotiators said they “will study the plan in good faith and respond to it,” according to an AFP official.