Israel could threaten to annexe parts of Gaza to increase pressure on Hamas, an Israeli minister has said, an idea that would deal a blow to Palestinian hopes of statehood on land Israel now occupies, Reuters reports.

The comment by security cabinet member Zeev Elkin came a day after Britain said it would recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel takes steps to relieve suffering in Gaza and agrees to a ceasefire in the invasion.

Accusing Hamas of trying to drag out ceasefire talks to gain Israeli concessions, Elkin told public broadcaster Kan that Israel may give the group an ultimatum to reach a deal before further expanding its military actions.

“The most painful thing for our enemy is losing lands,” he said. “A clarification to Hamas that the moment they play games with us, they will lose land that they will never get back would be a significant pressure tool.”