British sanctions against Israel due to the war in Gaza

In a notable move reflecting escalating diplomatic tensions, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced the suspension of negotiations for a free trade agreement with Israel, in light of its military escalation in Gaza. This decision coincided with the summoning of the Israeli Ambassador to London, Tzipi Hotovely, over recent actions taken by Tel Aviv. Lammy emphasized that his country cannot remain silent towards Israeli practices, noting that Israel's approach to managing the war in Gaza harms bilateral relations. Additionally, Britain imposed sanctions on seven targets, including Israeli settlers and entities in the West Bank, for charges related to violence against Palestinians, under the global human rights sanctions regime. In a proactive British stance, Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for an immediate ceasefire, expressing shock at the suffering of children in Gaza and affirming that Israeli escalation is unacceptable. This British position coincided with strong condemnation from French President Emmanuel Macron and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who warned of taking "concrete actions" unless Israel halts its military operations and lifts restrictions on humanitarian aid entry. International pressure is mounting, as thousands of trucks loaded with humanitarian aid continue to wait to enter Gaza, amid repeated calls for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to end the blockade.