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.

"We have begun the preliminary operations and the first stages of the attack on Gaza City. IDF forces are already holding the outskirts of Gaza City," Defrin said Wednesday.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz approved on Wednesday the Israel Defense Forces' military plan, codenamed "Gideon's Chariots II," to invade and occupy the city, according to the official.

The call-ups will begin immediately, the official said.

Meanwhile, at least 58 Palestinians were killed in the past 24 hours in Israeli strikes on Gaza, according to the Hamas-ru

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