By Kamal YalwaUK,Gaza,July 26, 2025
Calls are intensifying for the UK to formally recognise the State of Palestine, as Labour MPs and humanitarian groups highlight the worsening crisis in Gaza and urge the government to take decisive action.
The MP behind the recent cross-party letter urging recognition has warned that “time is running out” to support a viable two-state solution. This comes as Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed that the UK will assist with humanitarian airdrops into Gaza amid dire shortages of food and water.
Starmer’s remarks followed mounting pressure on the UK to align with France, which recently announced plans to recognise Palestinian statehood by September. The Prime Minister said Britain is “prepared to play its part” in supporting aid efforts while continuing to work diplomatically toward a long-term peace framework.
However, the planned airdrops have drawn criticism from humanitarian experts, who argue that they offer only symbolic relief in the face of growing starvation.
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), sharply condemned the airdrop strategy, calling it “a distraction and smokescreen.”
In a post shared on social media, Lazzarini described the method as “expensive” and “inefficient,” and warned that airdrops “can even kill Palestinians” if mishandled.
“A manmade hunger can only be addressed by political will. Lift the siege, open the gates & guarantee safe movement + dignified access to people in need,” he wrote.
UNRWA says it has 6,000 trucks loaded with humanitarian supplies currently waiting in Jordan and Egypt, ready to enter Gaza if access is granted. The agency reiterated that only safe, sustained land entry points can adequately meet the scale of need on the ground.
As the humanitarian catastrophe worsens, political momentum is building in Europe and beyond for the recognition of a Palestinian state—a move supporters believe could revive long-stalled peace talks and reaffirm international support for a two-state solution.
