Sir Keir Starmer has suggested that the UK will play a role in dropping aid into Gaza by air after more than a third of MPs signed a letter calling on the government to recognise a Palestinian state.

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.