The UK is preparing to parachute aid into Gaza to help ease starvation among Palestinian civilians, including children, which has provoked global horror. Diplomatic sources told The i Paper that work is under way between Britain and international allies to start dropping aid from aeroplanes after Israel said deliveries can start on Friday.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will convene a cabinet meeting next week, a government source said on Sunday, most likely to discuss the situation in Gaza after coming under growing pressure to recognise a Palestinian state.

Sir Keir will convene the cabinet in the coming week, while Parliament is in recess, to discuss the ongoing situation in Gaza. It comes after he confirmed his government was working with Jordan to drop aid into the territory and was "urgently accelerating efforts" to evacuate children who needed critical medical assistance to the UK.

The prime minister has developed an unexpectedly strong relationship with the American president – he must now persuade Donald Trump to use his influence over Israel