Israel has entered the first stages of its planned assault on Gaza City after a clash with Hamas, and already has a hold on the outskirts of the city, Israeli military spokesman Effie Defrin claimed on Wednesday in comments made to reporters.
It comes as Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz approved a plan to occupy Gaza City and authorised the call-up of around 60,000 reservists to carry it out, his ministry confirmed on Wednesday.
An Israeli military official said on Wednesday that the country’s top generals had approved plans to begin a new phase of operations in some of Gaza’s most densely populated areas.
The Israeli army killed at least 40 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since early Wednesday, including people waiting for aid.
Airstrikes targeted tents sheltering displaced families and homes in Al-Shati, Al-Zaytoun, and Al-Sabra, killing entire families and children. Eyewitnesses reported ongoing house demolitions and heavy explosions in Al-Zaytoun and Al-Sabra neighbourhoods.