Allies threaten action against Israel over Gaza escalation

Several of Israel's key allies have warned of potential consequences if it continues its renewed offensive in Gaza and persists in blocking humanitarian aid.

The United Kingdom on Tuesday suspended trade negotiations with Israel over what it calls the "intolerable" offensive in Gaza.

UK's Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the decision in parliament and confirmed that Israel's ambassador had been summoned over the issue.

Canada, France, and the UK released a joint declaration on Monday condemning Israel's expansion of military operations in the Gaza Strip.

"The Israeli government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law," read a joint statement.

On Sunday, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed Israel will "take control" of all of Gaza, and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich declared Israel's army would "wipe out" what remains of Palestinian Gaza.

Netanyahu also said Israel would allow a "basic amount of food" to enter the territory after an 11-week blockade.

The United Nations called Monday's limited aid entry into Gaza "a drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed". It has said Gaza needs at least 500 trucks of aid and commercial goods every day.

According to the World Food Program, more than 116,000 metric tons of food is standing ready to be delivered, which would be enough to feed 1 million people for up to four months.

The UK's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, France's President Emmanuel Macron, and Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized the escalation as "wholly disproportionate" and warned of specific measures in response, including potential targeted sanctions.

The joint statement also expressed strong opposition to the expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, labeling them illegal and detrimental to the viability of a two-state solution, which proposes an independent Palestinian state that would exist alongside Israel.

Starmer described the situation in Gaza as "really serious, unacceptable, intolerable" and said discussions were underway at the level of heads of state to find a resolution.

The leaders condemned the use of language by some Israeli officials and any attempts at the forced displacement of Palestinian civilians.

"We will not stand by while the Netanyahu government pursues these egregious actions," the three allied governments said.

In response to the three-nation statement, Netanyahu said: "By asking Israel to end a defensive war for our survival before Hamas terrorists on our border are destroyed and by demanding a Palestinian state, the leaders in London, Ottawa, and Paris are offering a huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on Oct 7 while inviting more such atrocities."

The European Union on Monday also expressed strong criticism of Israel over its continuing military operations in Gaza. EU Council President Antonio Costa demanded that Israel halt its military operations, and called on the Palestinian militant group Hamas to immediately release all remaining Israeli hostages, who have been held since the deadly Oct 7, 2023 Hamas attacks on southern Israel. He also emphasized the need for a two-state solution.