UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has confirmed that Britain will not send troops to join the multinational force monitoring the Gaza ceasefire from Israel, emphasising instead the country’s role in supporting diplomatic and reconstruction efforts.
Speaking from Paris on Friday, Cooper told the BBC that “there are no plans” for British soldiers to take part in the mission. Her comments came as the first phase of a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas came into effect, aiming to halt hostilities and secure the release of hostages.
The United States is deploying up to 200 troops, already based in the Middle East, to Israel to coordinate what officials call a “civil-military coordination centre.” The centre will oversee the implementation of the ceasefire and manage humanitarian assistance. Forces from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey are also expected to participate, monitoring the truce and reporting any violations.
Cooper made clear that Britain’s contribution would remain diplomatic and economic. “This is still a fragile process, but there is huge momentum behind it,” she said. “We have to make it work.” She added that the UK is exploring ways to attract private investment into Gaza to support recovery efforts.
When asked about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s remarks that Europe had become “irrelevant” in ceasefire efforts, Cooper acknowledged disagreements but stressed the importance of cooperation. “We’ve had differences with Israel on recognition of a Palestinian state,” she said. “But now, we need countries coming together to make peace a reality.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer echoed that sentiment, saying on Thursday during a visit to Mumbai that the UK had “played an important part behind the scenes” in the negotiations. He confirmed that Britain would continue to back “substantive humanitarian aid packages” during the truce, in coordination with France and Germany.
The E3 leaders — the UK, France, and Germany — released a joint statement pledging to “stand ready to support further talks on the next stages of the plan and to contribute to it.”
More than 67,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed during Israel’s offensive, according to Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry. The conflict began after Hamas’s October 2023 attacks on Israel, which left around 1,200 people dead and 251 taken hostage.
Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged the government to take a stronger role in maintaining peace. “We’re prepared to play our part; the UK must step up,” he said, calling for Britain to consider contributing to a peacekeeping force.
Cooper, who met her German counterpart in Paris after talks in Northern Ireland, said lessons from past peace processes — including in the Western Balkans — could help guide the next steps. “Countries can come together to support peace, resolve conflict, and rebuild nations,” she said. “That’s the spirit we need for Gaza now.”
