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Cancellation Announced: United Kingdom Advocates for Enduring Peace in Gaza Through Cooperative Efforts with Gulf Countries

Diplomat journeys to the Gulf region to forge unity for tranquility in Gaza

Cancellation Announced: UK's Efforts for Lasting Peace in Gaza with Gulf Allies Stall
Cancellation Announced: UK's Efforts for Lasting Peace in Gaza with Gulf Allies Stall

Cancellation Announced: United Kingdom Advocates for Enduring Peace in Gaza Through Cooperative Efforts with Gulf Countries

The Foreign Secretary is set to visit the Gulf region later this month, with a focus on strengthening UK-Gulf trade ties and building consensus around a framework for lasting peace in Gaza.

During the visit, the Foreign Secretary will hold talks in the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The meetings come amidst a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, including the spread of famine.

The UK's humanitarian funding includes support for United Nations Population Fund to provide essential care for pregnant women and girls, as well as support for UK Med's field hospitals in Gaza. The Foreign Secretary will also announce an additional £15 million for medical care and aid in Gaza, bringing the UK's humanitarian funding commitment for the Occupied Palestinian Territories to £75m this financial year.

The Foreign Secretary is engaging key strategic partners for a long-term framework for peace in Gaza. The UK is working with Gulf partners to establish a framework for peace and is pushing for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and a transformation in the delivery of aid, as part of efforts towards a lasting peace and the foundations of a two-state solution.

The negotiations between the governments of the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia over a long-term peace framework for Gaza were overseen through a summit convened by Qatar, reflecting the growing political influence and cooperation of these Gulf states in the region.

The Foreign Secretary will thank the UK's allies in the Gulf for their work in seeking to end the conflict in Gaza during his visit. The UK-Gulf trade relationship is worth more than £57 billion and brings growth and investment opportunities to British people.

In addition to trade discussions, the focus of the meetings is on turning any ceasefire into a durable peace, through a monitoring mechanism, the disarmament of Hamas, and a new governance framework for Gaza. The Foreign Secretary calls for more pressure on Hamas to release all hostages and accept they can play no role in the governance of Gaza. The Foreign Secretary also calls for the Israeli Government to allow sufficient aid into Gaza, stating that the current refusal is indefensible.

Qatar continues to seek a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza and the release of hostages. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia provides vital security support alongside US and European counterparts within the region.

The Foreign Secretary aims to build consensus around a framework for lasting peace in the region. His visit is part of a series of UK visits to the Gulf to strengthen relations and is a testament to the UK's commitment to working with its Gulf partners towards a more peaceful and stable Middle East.

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