Israel escalated its threats today to invade the Hamas-run Gaza Strip in response to Palestinian rocket fire.
Since quitting Gaza in 2005, Israel has mounted regular commando raids and air strikes on rocket crews but the salvoes have not ceased.
Islamist Hamas's takeover of the territory in June stoked calls in the Jewish state for a big military sweep.
"Every passing day brings us closer to a broad operation in Gaza," Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak told reporters. "We are not looking forward to it (and) we would be happy if circumstances prevented it."
Israel, which controls official Gazan border crossings, began reducing the amount of fuel pumped to Gaza this week. It also wants to reduce power supplies but has put that on hold.
The sanctions, which were put together by Mr Barak, prompted UN and EU delegates to urge Israel not to impose "collective punishment", illegal under international law, on Gaza's 1.5 million residents.
Israel's attorney general also opposes cutting electricity supplies to Gaza on humanitarian grounds.
Britain said today it was "deeply concerned" by reports that Israel had reduced Gaza's fuel supply and was considering electricity cuts, and had spoken to the Israeli government about the matter.
"We remain firmly committed to Israel's security and recognise its right to act in self-defence.
"But measures taken by Israel in response to violent extremists should be consistent with international humanitarian law and not cause suffering to innocent civilians," British Foreign Secretary David Miliband and International Development Secretary Douglas Alexander said in a statement in London.