Yvette Cooper, the new foreign secretary, has suggested the international community is on the brink of securing a peace deal for Gaza that could end two years of conflict. In an interview ahead of the Labour party conference, she urged the Israeli government to “urgently change course” from its renewed military offensive, saying there is no military solution that works.
Cooper, who recently returned from a UN summit, said the world has “reached a moment where the world wants to end this war” after US President Donald Trump signalled a deal was within reach. However, she declined to conclude that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza, repeating the government's position that it is down to a legal process.
The White House is backing a plan for Tony Blair to head a temporary administration of Gaza. Cooper twice declined to say whether the former prime minister is the right person for the role, acknowledging that Blair has been one of many adding proposals to the process but that there is still immense work to do.
Cooper emphasised that the beginning of the process must be a ceasefire, restoration of humanitarian aid, and release of all hostages. She admitted “words seem hollow” given the catastrophic situation on the ground, but insisted her focus is on ending the war. “There is no way that the security of Israel is remotely strengthened by this further Gaza City offensive,” she added.
