Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Scotland today, with discussions expected to focus heavily on the deepening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and
efforts to broker a ceasefire.
During talks at Trump’s Turnberry golf resort in Ayrshire, the two leaders are likely to explore urgent diplomatic options to halt the fighting and address growing international alarm over widespread starvation in the region.
Negotiations for a ceasefire and hostage release, previously held in Qatar, stalled this week following the withdrawal of U.S. and Israeli delegations.
Humanitarian emergency escalates
The humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. Aid agencies have issued stark warnings about mass starvation, while the World Health Organization has reported “alarming levels” of malnutrition. In response, Israel resumed limited aid drops, delivering seven packages of food, including flour and canned goods, into Gaza on Sunday. The UAE, Jordan, and Egypt are also contributing by land and air. However, aid groups say these efforts are nowhere near sufficient.
So far, there has been no involvement from UK aircraft or supplies in these airdrops. Israel plans to implement another 10-hour pause in military operations on Monday to facilitate aid deliveries.
Sir Keir, who has been under pressure over the UK’s role in the crisis, will convene a rare summer Cabinet meeting this week—despite Parliament being in recess—to discuss further actions to support humanitarian relief and push for a ceasefire.
He recently announced that the UK is working with Jordan on aid drops and is accelerating efforts to evacuate critically ill children from Gaza for treatment in the UK.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy emphasized that while airdrops offer some relief, sustained aid delivery by truck remains essential. “Airdrops can help alleviate the worst of the suffering,” he said, “but only lorries can provide the volume of aid needed, and they must be allowed through without obstruction.”
Mounting civilian toll
The conflict has already claimed the lives of at least 127 people in Gaza due to malnutrition, according to the territory's Hamas-run health ministry. Since Israel's total blockade began in early March, aid deliveries have been severely restricted. In late May, Israel resumed some aid distribution through the controversial U.S.-Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), but the system has faced widespread criticism.
Aid recipients are often forced to travel through active combat zones to reach distribution points, and the UN reports that over 1,000 Palestinians have died trying to access food at these sites. Israel insists the system is designed to prevent Hamas from diverting aid, a claim the group denies.
US shift on ceasefire talks
President Trump, currently on a five-day visit to Scotland, previously criticized Hamas for its role in the failed ceasefire talks, saying the group “didn't really want to make a deal.”
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff said in a statement that Hamas was not acting in good faith, prompting the U.S. withdrawal from negotiations in Doha. He added, “We will now consider alternative options to bring the hostages home and try to create a more stable environment for the people of Gaza.”
Pressure builds for UK recognition of Palestine
Sir Keir is also facing calls—both from within his party and abroad—to recognise Palestinian statehood. French President Emmanuel Macron recently pledged to do so within months, and over one-third of UK MPs have signed a letter urging the British government to follow suit.
The SNP has announced plans to introduce a bill in September to force a Commons vote on Palestinian recognition.
Meanwhile, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch reiterated support for a two-state solution but said now was not the time to recognize a Palestinian state, warning it would be seen as a “reward” for Hamas after its deadly October 7 attack, which killed about 1,200 people and saw 251 others taken hostage.
In retaliation, Israel launched a large-scale military operation in Gaza. Since then, the Hamas-run health ministry reports over 59,000 people have been killed. Photo by The White House, Wikimedia commons.