An Israeli military official said on Wednesday that the country’s top generals had 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 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.

Israel's defence minister has approved a plan for the conquest of Gaza City and authorised the call-up of around 60,000 reservists, his ministry confirmed on Wednesday, as reported by the news agency AFP.

Gideon Chariots 2' follows the previous “Gideon Chariots” operation, which led to the decisive defeat of Hamas throughout the majority of Gaza and allowed the IDF to take control of 75% of Gaza’s territory.

A key mediator on Tuesday stressed the urgency of brokering a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip after Hamas showed a “positive response” to a proposal from Arab countries, but Israel has yet to weigh in as its military prepares an offensive in some of the territory’s most populated areas.

Australian Minister Tony Burke slams Benjamin Netanyahu over his Albanese comment Australian Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke slammed PM Benjamin Netanyahu after he called Prime Minister Anthony Albanese a "weak politician who betrayed Israel,

Defense Minister Israel Katz approved the IDF takeover of Gaza City plan on Wednesday, naming the operation "Gideon's Chariots II." The plan was presented to him by IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and the military's senior command team.

Israelis took to the streets on Sunday to protest Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan to conquer the rest of the Gaza Strip rather than attempt to negotiate an end to the war under which Hamas would free its last hostages.

Displaced residents of Gaza City are split over a potential ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas that could allow them to return to their homes.