After 19 months of pounding Gaza, Israel is now under growing pressure from unlikely quarters – some of its closest Western allies.

Britain, France and Canada called the Israeli plans for escalation “disproportionate” and “egregious” at a time when the U.N. is warning the population is at risk of famine.

France on Thursday expressed its readiness for further national sanctions against Israel, saying the level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable. "We will not hesitate to take further measures, including targeted national sanctions," French Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine said at a weekly press briefing.

Israel launched a new devastating ground offensive in Gaza over the weekend just as US President Donald Trump departed the region without sealing a ceasefire and hostage deal.

The leaders of Britain, Canada and France threatened "concrete actions" against Israel if it does not stop a renewed military offensive in Gaza and lift aid restrictions, piling further pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Israel faces calls from more than 12 nations, including allies, to explain why forces opened fire as a large delegation of diplomats visited the occupied West Bank.

Three allies of Israel used words like “abhorrent” and “monstrous” this week to describe the country’s actions in Gaza

The head of the UN has urged Israel to allow more aid into Gaza to alleviate the suffering of the two million people in the besieged enclave. Follow the latest.