Israel's military said Wednesday that it will call up tens of thousands of reservists and extend the service of others ahead of an expanded military operation it will carry out in Gaza City. Defense Minister Israel Katz approved plans to begin a new phase of operations in some of Gaza’s most densely populated areas,

Israel will call up 50,000 reservists before a planned offensive to take Gaza City but most forces that would operate in the Gaza Strip's largest urban centre would be active duty soldiers, an Israeli military official said on Wednesday.

The Israeli military plans to mobilize around 50,000 reservists ahead of the planned capture of Gaza City, with draft notices due to be sent out in the coming days, according to a military representative.