Israel ramps up Gaza ground invasion, settler violence amid 60-day ceasefire proposal

Israel has accelerated its ground invasion on multiple fronts in Gaza, unveiling plans for a massive new separation wall along the Jordanian border and greenlighted the expansion of illegal settlements across the West Bank.

As the humanitarian crisis worsens, the Israeli Security Cabinet on Monday approved a defence ministry plan to build a 425-kilometre fortified barrier stretching from the Golan Heights in the north to Eilat in the south, spanning the Jordanian border.

The plan, dubbed by Israeli officials a "multi-layered defence system" would further entrench illegal occupation over the Jordan Valley with the establishment of new settlements and military training zones.

On the ground in the West Bank, settler attacks have intensified. Illegal Israeli settlers torched hundreds of dunums of Palestinian farmland in the town of Duma, south of Nablus. Municipal leader Suleiman Dawabsheh condemned the repeated assaults, warning that Palestinians and their properties are increasingly vulnerable to settler aggression.

In another incident, Israeli settlers established a new outpost in the Bedouin community of Deir Dibwan, east of Ramallah. The Al-Baidar Organisation for the Defence of Bedouin Rights reported ongoing harassment and land seizures in the area, exacerbated by Israeli military presence. The group stressed that such actions severely undermine residents' rights and worsen the humanitarian situation on the ground.

Human rights groups warned that the actions are part of a systematic effort to displace Palestinians and seize more land under the protection of the Israeli army. Since the start of the war in Gaza, settlers have set up at least 60 new outposts.

Amid the expanding Israeli control, Gaza continues to suffer under the relentless airstrikes, which have already killed more than 61,700 Palestinians. At least 23 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks across Gaza on Monday alone, including five people struck near the al-Faluja market in northern Gaza.

On Sunday, Israel said it will allow a "basic amount" of food into the Gaza Strip, after facing mounting pressure to lift a total siege imposed more than two months ago.

Meanwhile, ceasefire talks continue in Doha, where Israel has proposed a 60-day truce in exchange for the release of hostages held by Hamas.

The proposal also includes a possible release of around 1,000 Palestinian prisoners, including those serving life sentences. As of now, over 9,900 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons, with rights groups accusing Israeli authorities of torture, starvation, and medical neglect resulting in hundreds of deaths.

Last week, White House envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff reportedly handed an updated proposal to Israel and Hamas for a deal to release the remaining hostages and implement a ceasefire in Gaza.

Donald Trump’s right hand is holding direct talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and with the Hamas leadership in Doha, through the indirect channel of talks run by Palestinian-American businessman Bishara Bahabah.

However, Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri dismissed claims that the Palestinian group is considering the US proposals as "fake news" adding that Israel is attempting to "confuse the public".  

"We will not hand over the occupation's captives as long as it insists on endlessly continuing its aggression against Gaza," he said.

It comes after al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas's military wing, released Israeli-American soldier Edan Alexander in southern Gaza; a decision that deep divides Palestinians in Gaza and raised questions about the future of negotiations, resistance, and internal unity.

Hamas officials called the release a "goodwill gesture" and part of what they described as a broader negotiation track with US mediation aimed at a comprehensive ceasefire.