Keir Starmer queues up to shake hands with Donald Trump at Gaza summit

Sir Keir Starmer today joined a queue of world leaders who waited to shake Donald Trump's hand at a Gaza peace summit.

The Prime Minister was among those who lined up for pictures with the US President after Mr Trump oversaw a Middle East ceasefire agreement.

The American leader took centre-stage at the global gathering in Sharm El-Sheikh after he jetted into the Egyptian resort to sign off a peace plan.

Mr Trump made a late arrival at the summit - which left his fellow world leaders waiting around - following his long address to Israel's parliament earlier in the day.

Once he eventually arrived, the US President then risked delaying matters further by greeting each attendee individually.

As well as Sir Keir, a grinning Mr Trump also posed for pictures with the Palestinian Authority's Mahmoud Abbas, France's Emmanuel Macron, and Turkey's Recep Erdogan.

Others who lined up to greet the US President included former PM Sir Tony Blair - who has been tipped as a potential member of Mr Trump's 'Board of Peace' to oversee Gaza in future - and, surprisingly, FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

The world football boss has become a close ally of Mr Trump and has publicly called for the US President to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end the Gaza crisis.

While he waited for Mr Trump's arrival in Sharm El-Sheikh on Monday, Sir Keir held meetings with the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Qatar and Turkey on the fringes of the summit.

The PM has been accused of piggybacking on Mr Trump's Gaza breakthrough.

He hailed the 'tireless diplomatic efforts' of Mr Trump on Monday morning, crediting him with securing the release of hostages held by Hamas.

But Sir Keir was accused of only travelling to Egypt for a 'photo op' after risking derailing the process by recognising Palestine as a state last month.

Tories compared the PM to former Chelsea footballer John Terry, who changed into full kit to lift the Champions League trophy despite not playing in the final.

The Trump administration's Middle East envoy earlier tried to cool tensions after the US ambassador to Israel branded a Cabinet minister 'delusional' for suggesting the UK played a 'key role'.

Steve Witkoff praised Britain's 'vital role' - singling out under-fire national security adviser Jonathan Powell for his 'incredible input'.

The Sharm el-Sheikh summit, co-hosted by Mr Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, comes as part of efforts to secure the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that has been holding since Friday.

Israel said just after 6am that Hamas had released the first seven hostages into the custody of the Red Cross.

In a statement, Sir Keir said: 'I share the deep feeling of relief as Avinatan Or and other hostages are released today. But this is also a stark reminder of the treatment that he has been subject to at the hands of Hamas, and the atrocities that shook the world two years ago.

'Having met his family, I know that no one can truly understand the torture and agony they suffered for two drawn out years and my thoughts are with them. My thoughts are also with the family of Yossi Sharabi, who are still waiting for news.

'I reiterate my thanks for the tireless diplomatic efforts of the United States, Egypt, Qatar and Türkiye. It is now crucial that we work together to implement President Trump's peace plan for Gaza, and that will be my focus in Egypt today.

'Commitment to this plan from all parties will be essential to ending the war and building the foundations for a sustainable path to a long-term peace. The UK will support the crucial next stage of talks to ensure the implementation of the peace plan.'

In TV interviews yesterday, Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said the UK played a 'key role' in securing the Gaza ceasefire.

However, the US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said she was 'delusional', and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's deputy foreign minister, Sharren Haskel, bluntly rejected the claim.

Mr Witkoff posted on X this morning: 'I would like to acknowledge the vital role of the United Kingdom in assisting and coordinating efforts that have led us to this historic day in Israel.

'In particular, I want to recognize the incredible input and tireless efforts of National Security Advisor Jonathan Powell.'

It is understood Mr Powell has been speaking to Mr Witkoff almost daily. 

Sir Keir is understood to want to draw on the Northern Ireland peace process - which Mr Powell worked on as chief of staff to Sir Tony Blair in No10 - in talks on 'decommissioning' Hamas.

Ahead of the Egyptian summit, Mr Trump travelled to Israel to meet with hostage families and address the parliament there.

He said before his departure that many in both Israel and Arab countries were 'cheering' the agreement and that 'everybody's amazed and they're thrilled and we're going to have an amazing time'.

Speaking to reporters while in the air, Mr Trump deemed the conflict 'over', adding: 'I think people are tired of it.'

He also said he hoped to one day visit Gaza, telling travelling reporters: 'I'd like to put my feet on it, at least.'

Sir Keir was due to urge those at the Sharm El Sheikh summit to build on the momentum to bring about the second phase of plans to end the conflict.

He was expected to heap praise on Mr Trump and the diplomatic efforts of the other negotiators, as well as commit the UK to playing a key role in rebuilding Gaza.

Sir Keir was due to say: 'We stand determined to seize this opportunity to deliver a lasting peace and a stable, secure future for the whole region.

'Today is the first, crucial phase of ending this war and now we must deliver the second phase, in full.

'The UK will support the next stage of talks to ensure the full implementation of the peace plan, so that people on both sides can rebuild their lives in safety and security.'

Sir Keir was also set to announce a £20million humanitarian aid package for Gaza as the UK is set to host a three-day conference on Gaza's recovery and reconstruction.