As the earliest stages of a massive assault on Gaza City take shape, Israel is calling up tens of thousands of reservists to take part in the impending military operation.

The Israeli military said Wednesday that it is calling up tens of thousands of reservists before the expanded military incursion into Gaza City, even as the country’s government is considering a proposal for a ceasefire with Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Israel entered the first stages of its invasion of Gaza City on Wednesday, the Israeli military spokesman said.