Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal ‘on the brink’ of agreement, says David Lammy
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A ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas is “on the brink” of agreement Foreign Secretary David Lammy has said. He said a deal to enable the “rebuilding of Gaza with Israel safe and secure” will allow the region to “move forward in an atmosphere of peace”, as MPs raised concerns on the safety of hostages held by Hamas.
The United States, Egypt and Qatar have spent the past year trying to mediate an end to the 15-month war in the region and secure the release of dozens of hostages captured in Hamas’s attack on October 7 2023. Qatar, a key mediator in the talks, said Israel and Hamas are at the “closest point” yet to an agreement.
British-Israeli Emily Damari, 28, was kidnapped during the October 7 attack in 2023 and has been a hostage for 426 days. During Foreign Office questions in the Commons, Labour MP Jake Richard (Rother Valley) said he met with Mandy Damari, Emily’s mother, as had Mr Lammy during his most recent trip to Israel.
He asked “what steps the Government are taking to secure humanitarian access before the release of the hostages”, which he claimed “Hamas are disgracefully avoiding”. Mr Lammy replied: “As has been said by Joe Biden, we may well be on the brink of a deal, and I know this whole House will want to see that deal emerge in the coming days.”.
He added: “Rest assured that humanitarian access, as we have continued to press for the people of Gaza, is hugely important, but it’s as important for those hostages.”. Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel also referred to Ms Damari, and asked what resources the Government will be providing “to support the hostages through this release process over the period of time that is now being speculated” and their efforts to bring “a sustainable end to this awful conflict?”.
