PM joins French and German leaders in Middle East ‘de-escalation’ call

Sir Keir Starmer has joined French and German leaders in a call for “de-escalation and regional stability” in the Middle East.

In a joint statement with Emmanuel Macron and Olaf Scholz, the Prime Minister urged Iran and its allies not to “jeopardise the opportunity to agree a ceasefire and the release of hostages” in Gaza.

Sir Keir spoke with leaders in the Middle East last week during a call with the president of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, and in Downing Street with Sultan Haitham bin Tarik al Said, of Oman.

The European statement followed a similar message by US president Joe Biden, Mr El-Sisi and Amir Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, of Qatar, when they endorsed a three-phase framework to demand Israel withdraws its troops from Gaza, Hamas returns hostages to their families and the safe and effective distribution of humanitarian aid.

In a later statement on Monday, the three men along with Mr Biden and Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni called for a renewal of talks by the end of the week.

“We, the leaders of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, welcome the tireless work of our partners in Qatar, Egypt and the United States towards an agreement on a ceasefire and the release of hostages,” Sir Keir, Mr Macron and Mr Scholz wrote.

“We agree that there can be no further delay. We have been working with all parties to prevent escalation and will spare no effort to reduce tensions and find a path to stability.

“The fighting must end now and all hostages still detained by Hamas must be released.

“The people of Gaza need urgent and unfettered delivery and distribution of aid.

“We are deeply concerned by the heightened tensions in the region and united in our commitment to de-escalation and regional stability.

“In this context, and in particular, we call on Iran and its allies to refrain from attacks that would further escalate regional tensions and jeopardise the opportunity to agree a ceasefire and the release of hostages.

“They will bear responsibility for actions that jeopardise this opportunity for peace and stability.

“No country or nation stands to gain from a further escalation in the Middle East.”

The US, Egyptian and Qatari leaders wrote in their statement on Thursday: “There is no further time to waste nor excuses from any party for further delay.”

They urged “both sides” in the Gaza conflict to join talks in Cairo or Doha on August 15, adding: “As mediators, if necessary, we are prepared to present a final bridging proposal that resolves the remaining implementation issues in a manner that meets the expectations of all parties.”

In a further joint statement, the leaders of the UK, US, France, Germany and Italy endorsed calls to “renew talks later this week with an aim to concluding the deal as soon as possible” and stressed there is “no further time to lose”.

They added: “All parties must live up to their responsibilities. In addition, unfettered delivery and distribution of aid is needed.

“We expressed our support for the defence of Israel against Iranian aggression and against attacks by Iran-backed terrorist groups. We called on Iran to stand down its ongoing threats of a military attack against Israel and discussed the serious consequences for regional security should such an attack take place.”

On October 7 last year, Hamas burst through defences in southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages.

The Palestinian death toll is thought to be approaching 40,000 as a result of conflict in Gaza.

Iran-backed Hezbollah militants, based in Lebanon, have traded rocket fire with Israel over recent weeks and Hamas’ political chief Ismail Haniyeh was assassinated in Tehran at the end of July.

At least 80 people died on Saturday when an Israeli air strike hit a school-turned-shelter in Gaza City, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Israel claimed it had hit a Hamas command centre at the venue, but Hamas has denied it had a base there.

US Vice President Kamala Harris said on Saturday: “Yet again, far too many civilians have been killed.”

Asked about a possible retaliation by Iran or Hezbollah, or an escalation in the regional conflict, an Israeli government spokesman described a “ring of terror armies”.

David Mencer told Sky News after Sir Keir’s statement on Monday: “This Iranian axis of evil has formed a stranglehold against Israel.”

He added: “Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen, and other malicious – look, Israel is going to exact a heavy price for any aggression against us from any arena.

“We’ve made clear, we’ll always put our first hand out to peace to any partner, we want peace within Iran’s people, but this regime, this fascist, Islamist regime which is in control in Tehran, they need to understand that our long arm will reach anyone who causes our people harm.”