Britain's Prime Minister on Thursday said an agreement by Israel and Hamas to pause fighting in Gaza was "a moment of profound relief".

Speaking in Mumbai, where he was appearing at a news conference alongside Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Keir Starmer praised the "tireless diplomatic efforts of Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, the United States, and many others, in securing this crucial first step."

"This agreement must now be implemented in full, without delay, and be accompanied. By the immediate lifting of all restrictions on life-saving humanitarian aid to Gaza," he said.

Israel and Hamas agreed to pause fighting in Gaza to free the remaining hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, accepting elements of a plan put forward by the Trump administration that Palestinians greeted warily Thursday as a possible breakthrough toward ending the devastating 2-year-old war.

“This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace,” President Donald Trump wrote on social media late Wednesday. “All Parties will be treated fairly!”