United Kingdom (U.K.) Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to announce Britain's recognition of a Palestinian state on Sunday afternoon, marking a significant shift in British foreign policy after Israel failed to meet conditions, including agreeing to a Gaza ceasefire and committing to a two-state solution.

The move, which government sources say comes as the situation in Gaza has "worsened significantly," will align Britain with 147 of 193 United Nations member states that already recognize Palestine ahead of Monday's U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York.

About three-quarters of U.N. members already recognize Palestine, though it has no agreed borders, no army, and no complete control over its land due to Israeli occupation.

Netanyahu calls move 'reward for terror'
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the anticipated announcement, saying the recognition "rewards Hamas's monstrous terrorism and punishes its victims."

The Israeli foreign ministry has furiously rejected Starmer's position.

Starmer had set a September deadline in July for Israel to take "substantive steps to end the appalling situation in Gaza," agree to a ceasefire, commit to long-term peace, allow UN aid delivery, and not annex the West Bank.

"With that solution now under threat, this is the moment to act," Starmer said in July, adding that recognition would come "at the moment of maximum impact for the two-state solution."