The UK government is preparing to take part in Gaza aid air drops, according to Prime Minister Keir Starmer. His announcement came as international concern continues to grow over the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip.
Starmer revealed the plan after Israel announced it would permit foreign governments to drop aid by air. “News that Israel will allow countries to airdrop aid into Gaza has come far too late – but we will do everything we can to get aid in via this route,” Starmer wrote.
Alongside the air drops, the UK is also ramping up efforts to evacuate critically ill children from Gaza for urgent treatment in British hospitals. Two young girls have already been brought to the UK under a special humanitarian initiative, Project Pure Hope.
Pressure on the UK government to act has intensified in recent days. More than 220 Members of Parliament from nine parties—many from the Labour Party—signed a joint letter urging official recognition of a Palestinian state. The letter, coordinated by Labour MP Sarah Champion, calls the move a “vital step” toward a two-state solution.
Champion, speaking to BBC Radio 4, said, “The clock is really ticking. We need to act while there’s still a chance for a viable Palestinian state.” She criticized the air drops as symbolic, warning that they cannot replace full humanitarian access. “We saw grotesque hunger games play out the last time aid was dropped,” she said. “What we need is Israel to open every border.”
The UK’s response comes just after France committed to recognizing Palestinian statehood in the coming months. However, Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar condemned such moves, calling them a “prize for terror” in light of the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks.
Despite criticism, Starmer affirmed the UK’s commitment to delivering life-saving support to Palestinians. “We will pull every lever to provide food and aid. This humanitarian catastrophe must end,” he said in a statement.
Starmer also emphasized that state recognition should be part of a broader peace strategy. During talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, he stressed that a two-state solution remains the ultimate goal.
The UK has supported Gaza aid air drops in the past. In 2024, the government partnered with Jordan to deliver food and medical supplies by air. The Royal Air Force conducted 11 successful missions, delivering over 100 tonnes of aid. However, experts have long warned that air drops are inefficient compared to land-based supply routes.
Current plans involve Jordan and the United Arab Emirates conducting fresh air drops. Yet a Jordanian official told the BBC that Israel has not granted final clearance for military aircraft to enter Gaza airspace.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza is dire. The World Food Programme reported that one in three people in Gaza are going days without food. Malnutrition is surging, especially among women and children. An estimated 90,000 vulnerable individuals urgently need nutritional treatment.
Although Israel denies imposing a siege, it controls all entry points into Gaza and attributes the crisis to Hamas. Aid organizations argue that bureaucratic delays and restrictions are preventing life-saving supplies from reaching civilians in time.
In summary, the UK’s decision to support Gaza aid air drops is part of a broader shift in Western response to the crisis. As global leaders push for peace, the humanitarian urgency continues to mount. Whether the air drops will bring real relief or remain largely symbolic depends on Israel’s cooperation and the willingness of world powers to push for sustained access and long-term solutions.
