Sir Keir Starmer is expected to announce the UK's recognition of a Palestinian state in a statement on Sunday afternoon.
The move comes after the prime minister said in July the UK would shift its position in September unless Israel met conditions including agreeing to a ceasefire in Gaza and committing to a long-term sustainable peace deal that delivers a two-state solution.
This represents a major change in British foreign policy after successive governments asserted that recognition should come as part of a peace process and at a time of maximum impact.
The move has drawn fierce criticism from the Israeli government, hostage families, and some Conservatives.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu previously stated that such a move rewards terror. However, UK ministers argue there is a moral obligation to act to maintain the hope for a long-term peace deal.
Government sources indicate that the situation has deteriorated sharply in recent weeks, citing alarming images of starvation and violence in Gaza, which the prime minister has labeled intolerable.
Authorities have pointed to images from Gaza amidst the ongoing conflict, with the military operations causing severe humanitarian crises, prompting calls for action from the UK government.
Earlier, a United Nations commission characterized Israeli actions as genocide against Palestinians in Gaza, which Israel has dismissed as distorted and false. The UK government's decision is informed by ongoing concerns over the expansion of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
Justice Secretary David Lammy noted that the recognition of a Palestinian state is a response to the aggressive expansion of settlements and violence that jeopardizes the possibility of a two-state solution.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas expressed gratitude for the UK's recognition pledge during a recent meeting with Starmer, while UK Conservative Leader Kemi Badenoch articulated concerns about recognizing Palestine without preconditions.
Family members of hostages taken by Hamas urged the Prime Minister to delay the announcement until their loved ones are returned, asserting that UK recognition complicates negotiations.
With pressure mounting from various political spheres, this announcement is poised to impact ongoing discussions around the Israel-Palestine conflict, amidst a backdrop of violent escalations and complex geopolitical dynamics.
