Britain Offers Its Expertise to Dismantle Hamas... Will the 'Good Friday' Formula Succeed in Gaza?

SadaNews - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that Britain could play a leading role in helping to disarm the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip, based on its experience in encouraging armed groups in Northern Ireland to lay down their arms.

Starmer mentioned in Parliament that disarmament in the region would be vital for maintaining the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which is the first phase of a framework put forth by U.S. President Donald Trump consisting of 20 points for peace in the Palestinian sector.

Jonathan Powell, Starmer's national security advisor, was the mastermind behind what is known as the Good Friday Agreement of 1998, which largely ended three decades of sectarian violence in Northern Ireland. He worked alongside former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who is being considered for a role in Gaza.

Three European diplomats also indicated that the case of Northern Ireland is being cited as a potentially future model for Gaza, although they pointed to the lack 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 vital."

He added, "That is why we said we are willing to help 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 unite Ireland, stated in 2005 that it would officially end its armed struggle. While it publicly refused to dispose of its weapons, it agreed to the presence of independent monitors who reported after three months that it had put its arms out of service.

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

However, the Irish Republican Army never ruled Northern Ireland, unlike Hamas, which has governed 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 platform for his "remarkable contributions and diligent efforts."

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

Trump also mentioned that he would establish a "Peace Council" to oversee governance in Gaza. He initially proposed that Blair join this council but stated last Sunday that he needs to know whether this is "an acceptable option for everyone."

Yesterday, Tuesday, Trump reaffirmed in statements to reporters at the White House that Hamas will relinquish its weapons, claiming they have informed him of this, adding that if they do not, "we will take care of that." He emphasized that the disarmament of Hamas would happen quickly and possibly violently, as he put it.

Hamas has repeatedly affirmed through several of its leaders that the weapon of resistance is "off the table" and that it is only prepared to hand over its arms to the forthcoming Palestinian state.