Britain was set Sunday to recognise a Palestinian state with a landmark announcement due from Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as several nations were poised to follow at UN talks to pressure Israel over the Gaza war.

Starmer "will set out the position later on today", his deputy David Lammy told the BBC on Sunday, stopping short of confirming UK media reports that there would be full recognition of a Palestinian state.

Portugal's foreign ministry also said in a statement that Lisbon would "recognise the State of Palestine" and that "the official declaration of recognition will be made on Sunday, September 21".

Although it would be a largely symbolic move, the UK would become the first G7 country to take the step with France and others expected to follow at the annual UN General Assembly which opens Monday in New York.

It is a watershed moment for Palestinian statehood, with the most powerful western nations having long argued it should only be part of a negotiated peace deal with Israel.

But a growing number of longtime allies have shifted positions, as Israel has intensified its Gaza offensive, triggered by Hamas's........

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