Building peace together

in support of the plan was widely backed, including by the Arab and Muslim-majority states in the region. It provided the UN mandate needed for the International Stabilization Force to help implement the plan, support the ceasefire, and avoid leaving a vacuum which Hamas could exploit.The resolution also emphasized the importance of increased humanitarian aid, which is still desperately needed in Gaza.

As long as children are going hungry, and young mothers cannot get basic care, the most urgent priority must be to open all the crossings, lift restrictions, and flood Gaza with aid.In supporting that UN resolution, the United Kingdom reiterated the importance of implementing the proposed transitional arrangements in accordance with international law. Implementation must respect Palestinian sovereignty and self-determination, strengthen the unity of Gaza and the West Bank, and empower Palestinian institutions in order to enable a reformed Palestinian Authority to resume governance in Gaza.

This is essential to maintain progress toward a two-state solution, which remains the only way to achieve a just and lasting peace, with Israelis and Palestinians living securely side by side.The challenges of the next stage will be even harder than achieving a ceasefire, and it would be easy at this point for individuals, governments, and the global community to start to pull back or to walk away, because they think it is too difficult, or will take too long. So, it is more important than ever to maintain our international cooperation, to redouble our shared commitment to peace, and to enable the fragile hope of recent months to grow.Just as international cooperation and support secured the ceasefire in Gaza, we need the same