UK urged to use influence to help secure a lasting Gaza ceasefire, says former minister
Assalamu alaikum. A former British Middle East minister warns the Gaza ceasefire remains fragile but welcomes international steps to support a US-led peace initiative. Lord Tariq Ahmed called for “common humanity” as Egypt leads a coalition forming an international stabilisation force for the second phase of the plan.
Lord Ahmed said the UK should “lean in where it can,” using its ties with the US and Israel to help keep the truce in place. He noted the UK contributed ideas for post-war scenarios while the US put together its peace proposals, and praised advisers who provided access to talks.
He also worried the UK’s influence has declined after tensions with Israel over recognising a Palestinian state and sanctioning extreme ministers. Lord Ahmed said the UN had not played an effective role in ending the two-year conflict and urged the UK to help restore the strength of multilateral diplomacy.
One urgent appeal he made was for Israel to permit Turkish technical teams to enter Gaza to recover bodies from the rubble, including those of hostages. An 81-member search-and-rescue team has been waiting at Rafah with specialised equipment, search dogs and life-detection devices.
He stressed offers of help from countries like Turkey should be accepted and handled with proper security measures. Lord Ahmed described meetings with many families awaiting the return of their loved ones and said allowing recovery work would respond to that human tragedy.
He also highlighted the importance of the UK’s ties with Gulf states. Saudi Arabia and Oman, he said, have important mediation roles - Saudi efforts on Yemen and Oman’s back-channel contacts with the Houthis and Iran - and the UK could support those efforts to help wider regional stability.
Finally, Lord Ahmed warned that deep cuts to the UK’s foreign aid over recent years have reduced its international leverage. He argued restoring meaningful aid levels would strengthen the UK’s ability to influence peace and humanitarian outcomes abroad.
Jazakum Allah khair.
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