Israel could threaten to annex parts of Gaza to increase pressure on Hamas, an Israeli minister said today, reviving a proposal that would deal a serious blow to Palestinian hopes of establishing a state in the Israeli-occupied territories.

The statement by Ze'ev Elkin, who is a member of the security cabinet, came a day after Britain announced it would recognize a Palestinian state in September if Israel does not take steps to alleviate the suffering of Gazans and reach a ceasefire in the war with Hamas.

France, which last week announced it would recognize a Palestinian state in September, issued a joint statement with Saudi Arabia on Tuesday outlining steps to implement the two-state solution.

As part of ending the war, they stressed that Hamas must hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority and no longer govern the Gaza Strip. This announcement was supported by Egypt, Qatar, and the Arab League.

According to Israel, recognizing a Palestinian state is tantamount to rewarding Hamas for the attack it launched on Israeli territory in October 2023.

Ultimatum to Hamas

Accusing Hamas of trying to prolong the talks in order to gain concessions from Israel, Elkin told public broadcaster Kan that perhaps an ultimatum should be sent to the Palestinian organization. More specifically, he said that the most painful thing for our enemy is to lose territory.

A clarification to Hamas that once they play games with us they will lose territory, which they will never regain, will be an important pressure tool.

Mediation efforts to reach an agreement that would secure a 60-day ceasefire and release the remaining hostages reached an impasse last week, with both sides blaming each other for the failure.

Israel is facing mounting international pressure over the situation in Gaza, where international and non-governmental organizations warn that a worst-case scenario of famine is unfolding. Today, the Hamas-affiliated Gaza Health Ministry announced seven more hunger-related deaths.

Among the victims was a two-year-old girl who also suffered from a buildup of cerebrospinal fluid. Meka, my little daughter, died from malnutrition and lack of medicine, Salah al-Gharabli, the child’s father, told Reuters by telephone from Deir al-Baha. The doctors said we should feed her a certain kind of milk… but there is no milk. She starved. We were helpless, he added.

Monstrous

Relatives of Israeli hostages still held in Gaza have called for a Palestinian state not to be recognized before their people return.

Such recognition is not a step towards peace but a clear violation of international law and a dangerous political and moral failure that justifies horrific war crimes, the Hostage Families Forum said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that Britain's decision rewards Hamas' monstrous terrorism. Israeli officials had made similar comments last week after France's announcement.

Two Hamas officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the demand for the organization's weapons to be handed over to the Palestinian Authority, which currently exercises limited control over the occupied West Bank.

In the past, Hamas has rejected calls for its disarmament, while Israel has ruled out allowing the Palestinian Authority to govern Gaza.

Netanyahu said this month that he wants peace with the Palestinians but described a future, independent Palestinian state as a potential platform for Israel’s destruction. With that in mind, the security sector should remain in Israeli hands.

The country's cabinet includes far-right politicians who openly call for the annexation of all Palestinian territories.