An Israeli military official says the country’s top generals have approved plans to call up tens of thousands of reservists in order to begin a new phase of operations in some of Gaza’s most densely populated areas.

Israel’s military is set to start the call-up of around 60,000 reserve soldiers for a stepped up offensive in Gaza against Hamas, according to an Israeli government official, even as it readies a response to a new ceasefire proposal.

Hamas said that Israel's plan to relocate residents from Gaza City constitutes a "new wave of genocide and displacement" for hundreds of thousands.