LAST UPDATE | 26 Jul 2025

KEIR STARMER HAS moved forward on plans to airdrop aid into Gaza, despite the UN warning that airdrops are a “smokescreen” that would fail to reverse deepening starvation.

The UN’s Palestinian refugee agency further warned that airdrops could in some cases harm civilians.

The UK is working with Jordan on plans to airdrop aid into Gaza and evacuate children in need of medical assistance, Starmer confirmed in an emergency call with his French and German counterparts today.

UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini said on Saturday: “A man-made hunger can only be addressed by political will. Lift the siege, open the gates and guarantee safe movements and dignified access to people in need.”

Yesterday, Israel said it will allow airdrops of aid by foreign countries into Gaza to alleviate starvation in the Palestinian territory, where there is widespread devastation.

A readout of Starmer’s call with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz had no mention of the issue of Palestinian statehood.

On Thursday, Macron announced that France would formally recognise the State of Palestine in September. However, Starmer has rejected calls from UK MPs to do the same.

Some 221 MPs have signed a letter urging the British Government to recognise the state of Palestine at a meeting of the UN next week.

US President Donald Trump claimed Macron’s announcement was “not going to change anything” ahead of his arrival in the UK yesterday.

Trump landed in Scotland last night for a four-day private visit to the UK amid the continued desperate situation in Gaza. 

Trump made some time for golf at his course while in Scotland Alamy Alamy

Sarah Champion, a senior Labour MP who co-ordinated the cross-party letter, said recognition “would send a powerful symbolic message that we support the rights of the Palestinian people”.

While the UK PM said he was “unequivocal” about wanting to see a Palestinian state, he insisted this needed to be part of a “wider plan which ultimately results in a two-state solution and lasting security for Palestinians and Israelis”.

The UK and its allies must work together to broker a peace, he added, likening the effort to the coalition of the willing to support Ukraine.

Keir is expected to meet Trump on Monday, as the US president stays in Scotland ahead of a full state visit later this year.

In a video statement released on Friday, Starmer made plain his desire for a ceasefire in Gaza.

He said: “I know the British people are sickened by what is happening. The images of starvation and desperation are utterly horrifying.

“The denial of aid to children and babies is completely unjustifiable, just as the continued captivity of hostages is completely unjustifiable.”

Meanwhile, in a statement released alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and France’s Mr Macron, the Prime Minister urged Israel to stop restricting the flow of aid into Gaza.

US-led peace talks in Qatar were cut short on Thursday, with Washington’s special envoy Steve Witkoff accusing Hamas of a “lack of desire to reach a ceasefire”.

The deal under discussion is expected to include a 60-day ceasefire, and aid supplies would be ramped up as negotiations on a lasting truce took place.

With reporting from AFP and Press Association