The whispers from Whitehall are turning into a cautious roar. Sources confirm that Israel and Lebanon have signed off on a ceasefire framework. The deal, shepherded by American and French diplomats, came together in a flurry of late-night calls. British officials, who have been quietly nudging both sides, are claiming a quiet victory.
The motion, tabled by the government, passed with a majority of 42. Hardliners on the Tory backbenches grumbled about “premature concession”. But the whips held the line. Labour, surprisingly, offered support. They extracted a promise that humanitarian aid to Gaza would be prioritised.
This is not a final peace. It is scaffolding. The core dispute over the Shebaa Farms remains. Hezbollah’s disarmament is still a fantasy. But the guns have gone silent. For now.
Whitehall is already looking to the next step: a broader Middle East peace conference. The Foreign Office is drafting invite lists. Anyone expecting a quick fix is delusional. But this framework is a start. And in the game of diplomacy, a start is everything.
The prime minister’s approval rating ticked up two points in our latest poll. Coincidence? Perhaps. But in this town, perception is reality. The ceasefire is a win for the moderates. And in the current climate, any win will do.
