A SIGN OF CHANGE

Starmer to join Egypt summit for Israel-Hamas deal

- CHRIS HUGHES

KEIR Starmer is preparing to join other world leaders in Egypt for the long-awaited signing of the peace plan for Gaza tomorrow.

The Sharm El-Sheikh summit marks a historic turning point for the region after two years of conflict and enormous bloodshed.

The 20 remaining Israeli hostages still alive are expected to be returned and 2000 Palestinian prisoners released in the first phase of the plan.

Tension reached fever pitch for both sides last night as loved ones were told little - only that "they are coming home".

In what will be a huge operation, Israel has begun transferring Palestinian "national security prisoners" to the Ofer and Ketziot jails ready for release, the prison service said.

Donald Trump's 20-point peace deal demands all 20 living hostages taken from Israel on October 7, 2023 and the bodies of 28 dead Israeli captives must be returned by 10am.

The US President is flying to Israel to seal the deal and is understood to be keen to meet freed captives before addressing the Knesset parliament.

Living hostages will first be handed over to the Red Cross - set to be by 4am - then taken to a reception centre to meet relatives and be medically assessed.

The bodies of the 28 dead are also due to be returned over the weekend but Hamas officials have already warned they may have lost track of as many as 15.

US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Hostages Square in Tel Aviv last night, where 100,000 Israelis had flocked.

Greeted by cheers, he told the crowd: "We stand here tonight, Jews, Christians, Muslims and people from every part of the world, united by one shared prayer.