Peace is ‘Very Fragile’ Says UK’s Lammy, Hope for Hostage Release Amid Gaza Trucepublished at 01:33 Greenwich Mean Time
Damian Grammaticas
Political correspondent
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed cautious optimism for the release of Emily Damari, the sole remaining British hostage held in Gaza, amidst the fragile ceasefire agreement. Lammy, who briefed hostage families connected to the UK, including Emily Damari’s mother Mandy, stated, “I was in Israel on Monday briefing hostage families connected to the UK, sitting with Mandy Damari, the mother of Emily Damari… briefing her on where these negotiations have got to.”
He acknowledged the immense tension surrounding the situation, saying, “This is a very, very tense time. And these are a tense few days as [families] wait to see if their loved ones will emerge and whether they are alive or no longer and we wait patiently alongside them.”
Despite the cautious tone, Lammy highlighted the significance of the ceasefire, calling it “a day of hope after 466 days of agony and pain across the Middle East and across the global community.” He emphasized the need to move beyond immediate relief efforts towards a lasting solution, stating, “This peace, that may now have been achieved, is very fragile. This is just phase one. We must move to phase two and three and a complete ceasefire, and the day after.”
Lammy stressed the UK’s commitment to playing a vital role in both humanitarian aid efforts and rebuilding Gaza, ultimately striving for a two-state solution that brings lasting peace between Israel and Palestine.
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