Israel could threaten to partially annex the Gaza Strip in order to increase the pressure on Palestinian militant group Hamas during negotiations on a ceasefire, a member of Israel’s security cabinet said on Wednesday.
In an interview with Israeli public broadcaster Kan, Elkin noted that Hamas was delaying the negotiations.
“The most painful thing for our enemies is the loss of land,” he continued, highlighting the possibility of giving Hamas an ultimatum in order to reach an agreement. Such an ultimatum would be a significant means of exerting pressure.
Israel would make it clear that “the moment Hamas plays games with us, it will lose land that it will not get back.”
Several days ago, Israeli media reported that the government was discussing the threat of a gradual annexation of parts of the Gaza Strip in order to increase pressure on Hamas.
Most recently, far-right ministers in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government expressed their displeasure over the resumption of larger aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip.
According to Israeli commentators, Netanyahu also wants to appease his ultra-right coalition partners with the plans.
Indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas have reportedly stalled.
The last proposal on the negotiating table was for a 60-day ceasefire. During this time, Hamas was to release 10 of the 20 hostages still alive in the Gaza Strip.
TV station N12 and Israeli journalist Barak Ravid reported that Israel had given the mediators an answer to Hamas’ latest demands on Tuesday. No details were released of the contents.
