Keir Starmer reveals plan to airdrop aid in Gaza and evacuate children

Keir Starmer has revealed that the UK plans to drop aid into Gaza and evacuate children who need medical assistance. The Prime Minister's spokesperson said that Britain would work together with Jordan on the efforts after emergency calls with the French President, Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz. The leaders agreed "it would be vital to ensure robust plans are in place to turn an urgently needed ceasefire into lasting peace", No. 10 said. It added: "The Prime Minister set out how the UK will also be taking forward plans to work with partners such as Jordan to air drop aid and evacuate children requiring medical assistance."

But the head of the UN's Palestinian refugee agency warned airdrops were "a distraction and a smokescreen" that would fail to reverse deepening starvation in Gaza, and could in some cases harm civilians. 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."

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

It comes after some 221 MPs from Labour, the Conservatives, Liberal Democrats, SNP, Greens, Plaid Cymru, SDLP and independents have signed a letter pressuring the Government to follow Mr Macron, who said France would recognise Palestine as a state.

Donald Trump suggested Mr Macron's announcement, which saw him commit to formally recognising Palestinian sovereignty at the UN General Assembly in September, "doesn't matter" as he left the US for a visit to Scotland.

Charities operating in Gaza have said Israel's blockade and ongoing military offensive are pushing people there towards starvation, warning that they are seeing their own workers and Palestinians "waste away".

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 in which Hamas would release 10 living hostages and the remains of 18 others in phases in exchange for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.

Aid supplies would be ramped up and the two sides would hold negotiations on a lasting truce.