UK prime minister Keir Starmer confirmed the move after concluding the situation has deteriorated since he urged Israel to change course over the summer.
Portugal and France are also due to recognise Palestine today, joining around three quarters of the 193 UN member states who do so.
Ireland made the move last year alongside Norway and Spain.
The UK is set to recognise a Palestinian state on Sunday (Jane Barlow/PA)
Today’s News in 90 Seconds – September 21st
Tánaiste Simon Harris welcomed the decision and said recognition “upholds the principle that Palestine should be able to vindicate the full rights of a state – including self-determination, self-governance, territorial integrity and security – as well as recognise its own obligations under international law”.
“Today’s announcement is also a recognition of the intolerable humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza and the need to inject fresh impetus into bringing about a just, lasting peace where Israelis and Palestinians live side by side, in two states, Israel and Palestine, in peace, security and dignity,” he said.
“We need to see a ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and humanitarian access at scale into Gaza.
“This conflict has gone on for too long, at an unbearable cost in death and human suffering. A different future is possible. So we now need a political pathway, to achieve a lasting peace, and silence the guns for ever.
“We will continue to do all in our power to work for that peace.
“I look forward to engaging with colleagues at the UN General Assembly this week and to meeting counterparts at the International Peace Institute this evening (Sunday) to specifically discuss today’s announcement.”
It comes as Israeli strikes killed at least 34 people in Gaza City overnight, including children, said health officials on Sunday, as Israel presses ahead with its offensive in the famine-stricken city. The official death toll from the Israeli onslaught in Gaza is now around 65,000, mostly civilians, since the surprise Palestinian militant attack two years ago that killed more than 1,000 Israelis.
Alongside the continued military offensive and humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the UK government is alarmed at plans to accelerate Israeli settlements in the West Bank, something which ministers fear will kill off any hope of a two-state solution.
Mr Starmer said in July he would recognise Palestine ahead of the gathering of world leaders at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) next week if the situation did not improve.
In a historic if largely symbolic move, the prime minister said the move was intended “to revive the hope of peace for the Palestinians and Israelis.
Britain continues to approve arms exports to Israel.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy, who will represent the UK at UNGA, said: “It’s important to state that the recognition of a Palestinian state, it is a consequence of the serious expansion that we’re seeing in the West Bank, the settler violence that we’re seeing in the West Bank and the intention and indications that we’re seeing to build, for example, the E1 development that would run a coach and horses through the possibility of a two-state solution.”
The imminent move has been criticised by leading US politicians, who have warned it would empower Hamas and threaten Israel’s security.
Mr Starmer and his ministers have sought to stress that recognition of a Palestinian state is not a reward for Hamas, saying it can have no role in the future governance of Gaza and have stepped up demands for the release of hostages.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his deputy David Lammy (Toby Melville/PA)
It is expected the UK government will ratchet up sanctions on Hamas in due course.
Mr Lammy said: “In relation to what is happening in Gaza… we’ve got to see the hostages out. There can be no place, no place at all for Hamas.
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“The humanitarian situation is just desperate and we have continued to press Israel to deal with the scenes of malnourishment and starvation that we’re seeing, to open up more sites to get more aid in to Gaza and we are very concerned about this continued offensive into Gaza City.”
Canadian prime minister Mark Carney said: “Canada recognises the State of Palestine and offers our partnership in building the promise of a peaceful future for both the State of Palestine and the State of Israel.
“Recognising the State of Palestine, led by the Palestinian Authority, empowers those who seek peaceful coexistence and the end of Hamas. This in no way legitimises terrorism, nor is it any reward for it,” Carney said.
Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese said: “Today’s act of recognition reflects Australia’s longstanding commitment to a two-state solution, which has always been the only path to enduring peace and security for the Israeli and the Palestinian peoples.
“The President of the Palestinian Authority has restated its recognition of Israel’s right to exist, and given direct undertakings to Australia, including commitments to hold democratic elections and enact significant reform to finance, governance and education.”
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Congressional Republican leaders, including chairwoman Elise Stefanik and Senator Rick Scott, have sent a letter to the UK, France, Canada, Australia and other key allies about recognition.
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“This is a reckless policy that undermines prospects for peace,” wrote Ms Stefanik and Mr Scott.
“It sets the dangerous precedent that violence, not diplomacy, is the most expedient means for terrorist groups like Hamas to achieve their political aims.”
During his state visit to the UK, US President Donald Trump said he has “a disagreement with the Prime Minister” about recognition.
A group of families of hostages taken in the October 7 attack warned that recognition could hamper efforts to release them.
Thousands of Palestinians have died since the October 7 attack by Hamas (AP)
In an open letter to Mr Starmer, they said: “Your regrettable announcement of the UK’s intention to recognise a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly has dramatically complicated efforts to bring home our loved ones.
“Hamas has already celebrated the UK’s decision as a victory and reneged on a ceasefire deal.
“We write to you with a simple plea – do not take this step until our loved ones are home and in our arms.”
Ilay David, brother of hostage Evyatar David, who was seen emaciated in a Hamas video last month, said: “Giving this recognition is like saying to Hamas: ‘It is OK, you can keep starving the hostages, you can keep using them as human shields.’
“This kind of recognition gives Hamas power to be stubborn in negotiations. That is the last thing we need right now.”
Criticism also came from opposition parties, with shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel accusing Mr Starmer of “capitulating” to his backbenchers to shore up his leadership.
“With the terrorist organisation Hamas still holding hostages in barbaric conditions and glorifying acts of terror, Starmer is sending a dangerous message, where violence and extremism are tolerated and rewarded,” she said.
Dame Priti also described the preparation of fresh sanctions on Hamas as a “feeble last-minute attempt” to placate Mr Trump.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said: “Hamas and a Palestinian state are inseparable for now. This is typical of Starmer, he can’t really decide where he stands.
“Whatever the caveats in his statement, this announcement is a surrender to terrorism and a betrayal of Israel.”
Meanwhile, the Muslim Council of Britain welcomed the Prime Minister’s move, but said it must be matched by deeds.
Secretary general Wajid Akhter said: “We call on the Government to accompany recognition with tangible action: an immediate halt to all arms sales to Israel, a reassessment of trade agreements, and full support for international justice mechanisms such as the ICJ (International Court of Justice) and ICC (International Criminal Court).
“Only then can recognition carry real meaning.”