An Israeli center-left opposition party leader and former general sparked an outcry this week when he made rare criticism of the toll of the war on Palestinian civilians in Gaza.

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.

Israeli forces killed at least 55 Palestinians in airstrikes in Gaza, local medics said, continuing to bombard the enclave despite mounting international pressure to halt military operations.