The British government has halted free trade negotiations with Israel and announced new sanctions against Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, in a sharp escalation of diplomatic pressure following Israel’s renewed military offensive in Gaza.

The decision, unveiled Tuesday, came just hours after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer vowed “concrete actions” if Israel failed to halt its campaign and ease restrictions on humanitarian aid entering Gaza.

Starmer joined a growing chorus of international leaders—including French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney—demanding urgent action to stem the humanitarian crisis.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said that the United Kingdom could no longer proceed with trade discussions in light of what he described as “egregious policies” by the Israeli government in both Gaza and the West Bank.

He condemned Israel’s ongoing blockade of aid, the expansion of settlements, and the broader war strategy.

“History will judge them,” Lammy stated. “Blocking aid. Expanding the war. Dismissing the concerns of your friends and partners. This is indefensible. And it must stop.”

The UK is imposing sanctions on three individuals, two illegal settler outposts, and two organizations linked to violence against Palestinian communities, Lammy said.

He emphasized that illegal settlements are continuing to spread across the West Bank with direct support from the Israeli government.

Israel responded swiftly. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein criticized the sanctions as “unjustified and regrettable” and downplayed the impact on trade negotiations, suggesting they were not progressing substantially with the UK regardless.

Meanwhile, British Prime Minister Starmer delivered some of his strongest criticism yet, calling the suffering of children in Gaza “utterly intolerable” and reiterating his demand for an immediate ceasefire. He emphasized that the ongoing conflict and aid blockade cannot be morally justified.

Starmer’s remarks followed the UK’s summoning of Israel’s ambassador, Tzipi Hotovely, to the Foreign Office, where Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer condemned the 11-week blockade of humanitarian aid as “cruel and indefensible.”

Monday’s joint statement from Starmer, Macron, and Carney marked one of the most forceful rebukes by Israel’s close allies since the war began. The trio threatened further action if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government failed to end the offensive and lift aid restrictions.

Netanyahu dismissed the coordinated criticism, calling it “a huge prize” for Hamas.

Starmer argued that a ceasefire is the only viable path to securing the release of dozens of hostages still held by Hamas. He also called Israel’s current allowance of aid into Gaza “utterly inadequate,” noting that recent shipments were a mere fraction of what is needed to prevent mass starvation.

“This war has gone on for far too long,” he said. “We cannot allow the people of Gaza to starve.”

While Israel permitted a limited delivery of supplies—including baby food—into Gaza on Monday, UN humanitarian chief Tom Fletcher said it amounted to a “drop in the ocean.” Israeli authorities reported that dozens more trucks entered on Tuesday.

Initially, Israel had broad international backing for its response to the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack that left around 1,200 Israelis dead and more than 250 kidnapped.

However, global patience has waned amid reports of over 53,000 Palestinian deaths—many of them women and children—according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between combatants and civilians.

With the humanitarian crisis deepening, international leaders like Macron have ramped up diplomatic pressure, calling for an end to hostilities and the lifting of the aid blockade.