The Israeli military announced the start of a new operation last week and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said Israel would take control of the whole of Gaza. Israel has blocked the entry of medical, food and fuel supplies into Gaza since the start of March and international experts have warned of looming famine. Foreign minister David Lammy said the offensive was not the way to bring remaining hostages home, called for Israel to end the blockade of aid and condemned what he called “extremism” in some sections of Israel’s government. “We cannot stand by in the face of this new deterioration. It is incompatible with the principles that underpin our bilateral relationship,” Lammy told lawmakers. “Frankly, it’s an affront to the values of the British people. Therefore, today, I’m announcing that we have suspended negotiations with this Israeli government on a new free trade agreement.” Britain, in a joint statement with France and Canada on Monday condemned the expansion of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and called for restrictions on aid to be lifted. The trio said they would take “further concrete actions” should Israel’s fresh offensive not cease.

The United Kingdom has paused trade negotiations with Israel, sanctioned West Bank settlers and summoned the Israeli ambassador due to Israel’s military operation in Gaza and settler violence in the West Bank, the British foreign ministry announced Tuesday.

Britain is halting trade talks with Israel and summoned Tel Aviv's ambassador to the Foreign Office amid growing anger at the aid blockade on Gaza. David Lammy told MPs that Tzipi Hotovely was being brought in to be told that 'the 11-week block on aid to Gaza has been cruel and indefensible'. It came after Sir Keir Starmer, along with French president Emmanuel Macron and Canadian premier Mark Carney, condemned the Israeli government's 'egregious' actions in Gaza. They warned PM Benjamin Netanyahu that the UK and allies will take 'concrete actions' unless he changes course. The Foreign Office has also instigated new sanctions against Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank. Foreign Secretary Mr Lammy told the Commons: 'Civilians in Gaza facing starvation, homelessness, trauma, desperate for this war to end, now confront renewed bombardment, new displacement and new suffering, and the remaining hostages kept apart from their loved ones by Hamas for almost 600 days are now at heightened risk from the war around them. 'Two months ago the ceasefire collapsed. Since then the humanitarian catastrophe has rapidly intensified.