Starmer proposes a model for disarmament in Gaza.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said yesterday, Tuesday, that Britain could play a leading role in helping to disarm the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) in the Gaza Strip, drawing on its experience in encouraging armed groups in Northern Ireland to lay down their arms.

Starmer mentioned in Parliament that disarming the region would be vital for the continuation of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which is the first phase of a framework established by U.S. President Donald Trump consisting of 20 points for achieving peace in the Palestinian territory.

Jonathan Powell, Starmer's national security adviser, was the mastermind behind the so-called Good Friday Agreement of 1998, which largely ended three decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland, as he worked alongside former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is a candidate to play a role in Gaza.

Three European diplomats also stated that the Northern Ireland case is being cited as a potential future model for Gaza, although they noted the absence of a comprehensive plan.

Starmer said, "Of course, this will be difficult, but it is vital. It was difficult in Northern Ireland regarding the Irish Republican Army, but it was essential."

He added, "That is why we said we are ready to assist in the disarmament process based on our experience in Northern Ireland. I will not pretend that this is easy, but it is extremely important."

The Irish Republican Army, a predominantly Catholic group seeking to unify Ireland, announced in 2005 that it would officially end its armed struggle.

It refused to publicly dispose of its weapons but agreed to the presence of independent monitors who reported three months later that it had decommissioned its arms.

The peace agreement in Northern Ireland addressed everything from police reform to the early release of paramilitary prisoners, disarmament of paramilitary groups, and "normalizing" security arrangements.

However, the Irish Republican Army never governed Northern Ireland, unlike Hamas, which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007 and oversees all aspects of public life.

Jonathan Powell was in Egypt last Monday to attend an international summit regarding Gaza alongside Starmer.

The BBC reported that he was there last week while finalizing negotiations.

Steve Witkoff, Trump's envoy, thanked Powell last Monday in a post on X for his "remarkable contributions and tireless efforts."

In Gaza, Israeli officials stated that any final settlement must include the permanent disarmament of Hamas.

Trump also said he would establish a "Peace Council" to oversee governance in Gaza.

He initially suggested that Blair join this council, but said last Sunday that he needed to know if that was "an acceptable option for everyone."

Yesterday, Tuesday, Trump confirmed in statements to reporters at the White House that Hamas would relinquish its weapons and that it had informed him of this, adding: if it does not, "we will take care of that."

He reiterated that the disarmament of Hamas would happen quickly and possibly violently, as he put it.

Hamas has repeatedly emphasized through several of its leaders that the resistance's weapons are "off the table" and that it is only prepared to hand over its arms to the upcoming Palestinian state.