It would mark a stunning escalation of the 22-month war in the territory that has already been largely destroyed and where experts say famine is unfolding.

There is intense international pressure for a ceasefire to ease hunger and appalling conditions in Gaza and for Hamas to release the hostages. The latest ceasefire talks in Qatar

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepared Tuesday to unveil an updated Gaza war plan designed to destroy Hamas and secure the release of dozens of hostages, with Israeli media reporting

Growing anticipation of some greater involvement in the Palestinian enclave comes as Israel’s military operation leaves its war aims unfulfilled.

Since Israel began its onslaught in Gaza, settler groups have been calling for the resettlement of Gaza. These radicals go beyond the families that were evacuated in 2005. They include the Nachala settler organisation whose raison d'etre is establishing Jewish settlements to control the West Bank and Gaza.