The terror group, which still holds 20 living hostages in the Gaza Strip, has maintained that it will not agree to any deal that does not ensure a permanent end to the war, a condition Israel has slammed as a non-starter as its leaders vowed to keep the fight going until Hamas is eradicated.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said his government would act unless there was a truce, citing the “intolerable” humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Britain on Wednesday rejected criticism that it was rewarding militant group Hamas by setting out plans to recognise a Palestinian state unless Israel took steps to improve the situation in Gaza and bring about peace.