LONDON, May 21 -- The UK suspended free trade talks with Israel on Tuesday and hit West Bank settlers with sanctions, less than a day after vowing "concrete actions" if Israel didn't stop its new military offensive in Gaza.

Pressure from close allies is mounting on Israel following a nearly three-month blockade of supplies into Gaza that led to famine warnings. Even the United States, a staunch ally, has voiced concerns over the hunger crisis, AP reports.

British Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the government couldn't continue talks on upgrading its existing trade agreement with an Israeli government pursuing what he called egregious policies in Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

"History will judge them," Lammy said. "Blockin...