The UK has joined France and Canada in condemning Israel's military offensive in Gaza and warned of "further concrete actions".

The leaders of the three nations released a joint statement on Monday, threatening consequences, including sanctions, if Israel did not stop its latest military offensive in Gaza and lift restrictions on humanitarian aid allowed into the enclave.

Palestinian health authorities have since said at least 60 people were killed in strikes overnight by Israel, which says it aims to return dozens of hostages still being held by Hamas.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and newly elected Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said they had supported Israel's right to defend itself against terrorism, but that its new military actions in Gaza were "wholly disproportionate".

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"We will not stand by while the Netanyahu Government pursues these egregious actions," they said in the joint statement.

"If Israel does not cease the renewed military offensive and lift its restrictions on humanitarian aid, we will take further concrete actions in response."

They also said Israel's decision on Sunday to allow a "basic quantity of food into Gaza is wholly inadequate", as they said the "level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable".

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the statement, accusing the leaders of offering a "huge prize for the genocidal attack on Israel on October 7".

Mr Netanyahu agreed to allow a limited amount of aid into the besieged enclave in response to global concern at reports of famine.

In a video statement, posted to social media on Monday, Mr Netanyahu said Israel's "greatest friends in the world" - which he did not specify - had threatened to withdraw support for his country.

He added there had been pressure from allies who said they could not support Israel's renewed military offensive if there were "images of hunger" coming from the Palestinian territory.

Mr Netanyahu said a "starvation crisis" would jeopardise Israel's new offensive against Hamas in Gaza, and a "basic" amount of food would be allowed in.

The first trucks carrying humanitarian aid like food and medicine entered Gaza on Monday, Israel and the UN have said.

United Nations aid chief Tom Fletcher said Israel cleared nine trucks of aid on Monday to enter Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing but added it was a "drop in the ocean of what is urgently needed".

Mr Fletcher said that "significantly more aid must be allowed into Gaza, starting tomorrow morning".

Israel's military confirmed on Monday that five UN trucks carrying humanitarian aid, including food for babies, were allowed into Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing in the south of the territory.

A UN official earlier told the Associated Press news agency that 20 aid trucks carrying mostly food would go into the territory.

Some 600 aid trucks had entered Gaza each day during a ceasefire in the conflict earlier this year.

Two far-right governing partners had pressed Mr Netanyahu not to allow aid into Gaza.

In a news conference on Monday, foreign ministry director general Eden Bar Tal accused Hamas of "hijacking" food and monetising aid "in order to feed its engine of war".

He said a new distribution mechanism would become operational within days, organised by the US-backed group Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), to "direct aid to the population in Gaza, but not to Hamas".

Mr Tal said Israel would "temporarily bridge the current needs" until GHF's operation begins, beginning on Monday, with trucks loaded with baby food being allowed into Gaza.

"The items to be supplied immediately include flour to the main bakeries operated by international organisations in the Gaza Strip, supplies of items to central kitchens operated by international organisations, baby food and medical supplies," he said.

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Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, a far-right figure in Mr Netanyahu's government, said: "In a few days, with God's help, an American civilian company will begin operating in the [Gaza] Strip to distribute the minimal food aid directly to civilians - ensuring not a single grain reaches Hamas or endangers our soldiers."

The leaders of the UK, France and Canada said on Monday that the "Israeli government's denial of essential humanitarian assistance to the civilian population is unacceptable and risks breaching International Humanitarian Law".

They added in their joint statement: "We condemn the abhorrent language used recently by members of the Israeli government, threatening that, in their despair at the destruction of Gaza, civilians will start to relocate.

"Permanent forced displacement is a breach of international humanitarian law."

Mr Netanyahu also said on Monday that Israel plans on "taking control of all of Gaza", as well as establishing an aid distribution system that bypasses Hamas.

Mr Smotrich said on Monday that Israel's military is "destroying what is still left" of Gaza.

Meanwhile, international aid groups say they will not participate in the new distribution mechanism, saying it is not practical and will not reach the most vulnerable Palestinians.

It comes as Israel has ramped up its offensive in Gaza, where it has been conducting a military campaign in retaliation for the 1,200 people killed and 251 taken hostage by Hamas on 7 October 2023.

Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry says more than 53,000 people have been killed in Israel's 19-month campaign, although it does not distinguish between civilians and combatants. It reported 464 people had been killed in Israeli military strikes in the week to Sunday.

(c) Sky News 2025: 'We'll take further concrete actions': UK joins France and Canada in condemning Israel offensive in Gaza - as Pale