Britain Proposes Northern Ireland Model for Disarming Gaza
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer suggests leveraging experience from Northern Ireland peace process to help disarm Hamas in Gaza.
LONDON: Britain could play a leading role in helping to disarm Hamas in Gaza, drawing on its experience of encouraging militant groups in Northern Ireland to relinquish their arms, according to Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Speaking in parliament, Starmer emphasized the importance of decommissioning weapons in Gaza if Donald Trump's ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is to be sustainable, marking the first stage of the U.S. president's 20-point framework aimed at promoting peace in the Palestinian enclave.
Starmer referenced his national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, who was instrumental in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement that largely ended decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland.
Working alongside former Prime Minister Tony Blair, Powell is now involved in discussions regarding a potential resolution for Gaza.
The Good Friday Agreement addressed various aspects, including police reform, early release of paramilitary prisoners, disarmament of paramilitary groups, and normalization of security arrangements.
Three European diplomats have also mentioned the Northern Ireland model as a possible future approach to addressing disarmament in Gaza, though no comprehensive plan has been established at this time.
Starmer acknowledged that disarming Hamas would be challenging, akin to the difficulties faced during the decommissioning process in Northern Ireland with the IRA.
However, he stated that it is vital for achieving lasting peace.
The IRA, a predominantly Catholic group seeking a unified Ireland, declared an end to its armed struggle in 2005 and agreed to independent monitoring of their weapons disposal.
In contrast, Hamas has been governing Gaza since 2007 and controls all aspects of public life.
Israeli officials have indicated that any final agreement must include the permanent disarmament of Hamas.
Additionally, Trump plans to establish a 'Board of Peace' to oversee governance in Gaza, with initial suggestions of former Prime Minister Tony Blair as a potential member before clarifying that he needed broader acceptance for his involvement.
Speaking in parliament, Starmer emphasized the importance of decommissioning weapons in Gaza if Donald Trump's ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is to be sustainable, marking the first stage of the U.S. president's 20-point framework aimed at promoting peace in the Palestinian enclave.
Starmer referenced his national security adviser, Jonathan Powell, who was instrumental in the 1998 Good Friday Agreement that largely ended decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland.
Working alongside former Prime Minister Tony Blair, Powell is now involved in discussions regarding a potential resolution for Gaza.
The Good Friday Agreement addressed various aspects, including police reform, early release of paramilitary prisoners, disarmament of paramilitary groups, and normalization of security arrangements.
Three European diplomats have also mentioned the Northern Ireland model as a possible future approach to addressing disarmament in Gaza, though no comprehensive plan has been established at this time.
Starmer acknowledged that disarming Hamas would be challenging, akin to the difficulties faced during the decommissioning process in Northern Ireland with the IRA.
However, he stated that it is vital for achieving lasting peace.
The IRA, a predominantly Catholic group seeking a unified Ireland, declared an end to its armed struggle in 2005 and agreed to independent monitoring of their weapons disposal.
In contrast, Hamas has been governing Gaza since 2007 and controls all aspects of public life.
Israeli officials have indicated that any final agreement must include the permanent disarmament of Hamas.
Additionally, Trump plans to establish a 'Board of Peace' to oversee governance in Gaza, with initial suggestions of former Prime Minister Tony Blair as a potential member before clarifying that he needed broader acceptance for his involvement.
