British Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that his country will play a leading role in the reconstruction efforts in Gaza and will provide a humanitarian aid package worth 20 million pounds sterling.
According to a statement issued by the British government, the Prime Minister will announce his government's commitment to playing a leading role in accelerating the reconstruction of Gaza, in cooperation with international partners, at the signing ceremony of the Gaza peace plan in Egypt.
The statement explained that the plan includes a £20 million humanitarian aid package aimed at providing essential water, sanitation, and hygiene services to tens of thousands of civilians in the Gaza Strip.
This aid will be implemented through the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), the World Food Programme (WFP), and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), to support families facing the risk of famine, malnutrition, and disease.
The Prime Minister is also expected to confirm that the UK will lead the next phase of the peace plan, while London hosts a three-day conference dedicated to discussing Gaza's recovery and reconstruction.
The Wilton Park Conference brings together representatives from business, civil society and governments to coordinate efforts and plans for the post-war phase in Gaza.
Discussions will also include ways to support the Palestinian Authority's reform and transformation program to ensure its readiness to play a pivotal role in the reconstruction process.
According to the plan, the reconstruction process will be managed solely by Palestinians, with no role for Hamas in the future governance of the Gaza Strip.
The conference will be attended by a number of international partners, including Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and the Palestinian Authority, in addition to representatives from the private sector and international finance and development institutions, such as the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the World Bank.
The summit will also discuss mechanisms for mobilizing private sector resources to cover the massive destruction inflicted on Gaza, where estimates indicate that more than 92% of homes have been destroyed or damaged as a result of more than two years of conflict.
The new £20 million aid is part of the UK's broader commitment to provide £116 million in aid to the Palestinian people this year, including £74 million previously allocated for life-saving assistance such as food and shelter amid the ongoing crisis in Gaza.
This support includes £3.5 million to the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), £7 million to the World Food Programme (WFP) to provide urgent food assistance, and £9.7 million to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) to support its vital operations in the Strip.
The United Kingdom has so far provided £74 million in humanitarian aid to Palestine during the current financial year, as part of its ongoing efforts to support the Palestinian people as they cope with the repercussions of war and the humanitarian crisis.
