Britain Presses Hamas to Accept Trump’s Plan as Starmer Meets Gulf Leaders

Britain Presses Hamas to Accept Trump’s Plan as Starmer Meets Gulf Leaders.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has declared a “strong sense of responsibility” to help end the Gaza conflict, directly linking it to the United Kingdom’s historic role in the creation of the state of Israel. The statement came during high-level diplomatic talks with Gulf leaders focused on securing a lasting peace.

According to a report from The Guardian on October 1, 2025, Prime Minister Starmer held separate discussions with Kuwait’s Crown Prince and the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The conversations centered on the ongoing war in Gaza and the potential for a diplomatic resolution based on a peace plan from the era of former U.S. President Donald Trump.

READ: Trump Warns: “Hamas Will Pay in Hell’ If Gaza Peace Deal is Rejected

A Downing Street spokesperson revealed that both Gulf leaders, Kuwait’s Crown Prince al Sabah and UAE’s President al Nahyan, expressed appreciation for the United Kingdom’s recent official recognition of a Palestinian state. They noted that this move was crucial for “keeping alive hope” for a viable two-state solution.

In his conversation with the Kuwaiti leader, Starmer struck a notably reflective tone. He conveyed that he felt a “strong sense of responsibility” to work towards ending the violence, acknowledging Britain’s complex historical footprint in the region. This marks a significant diplomatic framing, suggesting that the UK’s past actions—a reference to the 1917 Balfour Declaration which pledged British support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine—compel its present-day duty to mediate peace.

A key point of agreement emerged from the talks with UAE President al Nahyan. Both leaders asserted that the Palestinian militant group Hamas “must now accept” the peace deal proposed by Donald Trump. They stressed the urgent need for Hamas to release all remaining hostages as a critical step in the negotiation process and for de-escalation.

READ: An Unlikely Endorsement: Russia Backs Trump’s Gaza Peace Plan

These discussions signal a concerted effort by the new UK government to position itself as an active and responsible mediator in one of the world’s most intractable conflicts. By engaging key regional powers and applying direct pressure on Hamas to embrace a specific peace plan, Starmer’s diplomacy aims to build collective momentum toward a ceasefire.

The situation in Gaza remains dire, with mounting international calls for a permanent end to hostilities and the facilitation of comprehensive humanitarian aid. As diplomatic efforts intensify, the international community watches to see if this combined pressure can compel the conflicting parties to step back from the brink and pursue a diplomatic solution to end the suffering.