UK PM Keir Starmer met with the head of the Palestinian Authority as the UK government unveiled a £101 million aid package for the occupied territories, demonstrating the UK’s “steadfast support.”

During the meeting with Mohammad Mustafa, the Prime Minister said their talks were centred on achieving a ceasefire quickly and finding ways to “get humanitarian aid in at speed and at volume.” On Monday, the UK announced a support package for the Palestinian territories, which includes £101 million in humanitarian aid, economic development assistance, and initiatives to improve governance and reforms.

During the first official visit since 2021, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and head Mustafa inked a memorandum of understanding, reaffirming their shared commitment to pursuing Palestinian statehood as part of a two-state solution.

Keir greeted the Palestinian leader with a handshake outside Number 10 before heading inside for discussions, where he reaffirmed that a two-state solution remains the “only really effective way that we will have peace.” He thanked Mustafa, saying, “Prime Minister, thank you so much for accepting my invitation to this meeting in Downing Street.”

He said, “It’s a real pleasure to have you here for really important discussions with the extremely challenging position not only in Gaza but also in the West Bank”. Adding further, “Deeply, deeply concerning, I think, to the whole world, and amongst the things we need to discuss is how we make sure that we can get back to a ceasefire as quickly as possible, get humanitarian aid in at speed and at volume – desperately needed.”

Mustafa stated, "We hope that working with partners like yourselves, we will be able to overcome this." and added, “These are very difficult but I think it (is) a reminder that we need to deal with the root problem of all of this, which is the absence of the implementation of the two-state solution.”

During the meeting, PM Keir offered his “sincere condolences” for the “appalling loss of life” in Gaza and stressed that the UK “does not support the resumption in hostilities,” according to Number 10.

A Downing Street summary of the discussion stated that the Prime Minister affirmed Britain’s commitment to pushing for a return to the ceasefire and maintaining the “critical” delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

“He also said that we must not lose sight of the situation in the West Bank, where unlawful settlement and violence is of deep concern,” a Number 10 spokesperson conveyed. Further said, “The leaders agreed that a strategic political framework will be necessary as part of the implementation of a two-state solution, and that Hamas must have no role in Gaza’s governance.”

He added, “They both agreed that the UK would continue to work closely with the Palestinian Authority and regional partners to find a constructive way forward, and deliver lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians alike.”

Since March 2, Israel has stopped the flow of food, fuel, medicine, and other aid into Gaza. On March 18, it resumed airstrikes, breaking a ceasefire, and took control of large areas in the region, saying it was to push Hamas into freeing more hostages. The World Food Programme announced last week that, due to the blockade, it had entirely run out of food supplies in Gaza, cutting off a critical lifeline for hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

Downing Street conveyed that the two leaders talked about the UK’s “steadfast support” for the Palestinian Authority, its reform efforts, and support for the Palestinian people "at a critical moment.” The Foreign Secretary described the visit as a “significant step” in deepening ties between the UK and the Palestinian Authority.

Lammy emphasised that “The UK is clear that there can be no role for Hamas in the future of Gaza and we are committed to working with the Palestinian Authority as the only legitimate governing entity in the occupied Palestinian territories." He added, “We will not give up on the two-state solution, with a Palestinian state and Israel living side-by-side in peace, dignity and security." He also repeated, “I reaffirm the UK’s commitment to recognising a Palestinian state as a contribution to that process, at a time that has the greatest impact.”

The last time a Palestinian Authority prime minister visited the UK was in 2021, when Mohammad Shtayyeh attended the Cop26 climate conference in Glasgow.