Starmer to recall cabinet from summer recess as he faces pressure to back Palestinian state as humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepens
The Prime Minister is under pressure to follow French president Emmanuel Macron in recognising a Palestinian state as horror continues to mount over the conflict.
Sir Keir has so far resisted the calls, saying it should instead come as part of a wider peace process, with senior Labour figures saying he fears upsetting the US.
The PM is expected to use his relationship with Donald Trump to push for Washington to restart ceasefire talks when they meet in Scotland today.
But more than 200 MPs have urged him to immediately recognise a Palestinian state. Health Secretary Wes Streeting, Justice Secretary Shabana Mahmood and London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan are said to be among those urging the PM to move on the issue.
Labour pledged to do so in their manifesto and government officials say it is a question of 'when, not if'.
Referring to his meeting with Sir Keir, President Trump said yesterday: 'We'll be discussing that [a ceasefire agreement]. I think we're going to be discussing a lot about Israel.
'They're very much involved in terms of wanting something to happen. [Starmer] is doing a very good job, by the way.'
But Sir Keir faces another backbench rebellion after recess as the Scottish National Party has said it will table a 'Palestine Recognition Bill' if he does not change tack, which could see his own party vote with the SNP.
It comes as Israel introduced daily pauses to fighting in parts of Gaza to open up humanitarian corridors following international horror at images of starvation.
The IDF yesterday stopped some operations from 10am to 8pm to help get aid in. Leaders have committed to continue the ten-hour 'tactical pauses' every day until further notice following pressure from Israel's allies.
Britain is among countries backing airdrops of aid, including flour, sugar and canned food, with Israel, Jordan and the UAE running the flights. It is the first time the Israeli Air Force has carried out aid drops during the conflict.
Meanwhile, the IDF has also designated 'secure routes' from 6am to 11pm to enable the 'safe passage of UN and humanitarian aid organisation convoys delivering and distributing food and medicine across the Gaza Strip'.
But doctors and aid workers on the ground warned a full ceasefire is needed to stop the 'mass starvation'. The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry claims six more people have died from malnutrition – bringing the total to 133, including 87 children.
It also alleged nine Palestinians were killed and 54 injured at an aid convoy route in central Gaza.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said tactical pauses 'alone cannot alleviate the needs of those desperately suffering in Gaza'.
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