Israel has begun the "first stages of the attack on Gaza City" on Wednesday as it plans to call up to 50,000 to 60,000 reservists in order to occupy the city, according to Israel Defense Forces spokesman Eddie Defrin and an Israeli military official.

Qatar has strongly condemned the decision by the Israeli occupation authorities to seize full control of the Gaza Strip, describing it as a grave and alarming escalation that

Gaza: Director General of the Ministry of Health in Gaza Dr. Muneer Alboursh warned of the magnitude of the health and humanitarian catastrophe

Israel is studying Hamas' response to a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and release of half the hostages still held in Gaza, two Israeli officials said, although one source reiterated that all Israeli captives must be freed for the war to end.

Israel's defence minister has approved a plan for the conquest of Gaza City and authorised the call-up of around 60,000 reservists to carry it out, his ministry confirmed on Wednesday.