Israel builds up forces ahead of offensive to seize Gaza City

40,000 RESERVISTS ARE BEING CALLED UP IN THE FIRST MOBILISATION WAVE

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Israel intensified its military buildup yesterday as reservists began responding to call-up orders, ahead of a planned offensive to capture Gaza City, nearly two years into a devastating war.

Despite mounting pressure at home and abroad to end its campaign in the Palestinian territory, Israel is gearing up to seize Gaza’s largest city — intensifying bombardments and operating in the outskirts in recent days.

The United Nations estimates nearly a million people live in Gaza City and its surroundings, where a famine has been declared.

The military said it had been preparing in recent days, “ahead of expanded combat operations and the large-scale mobilisation of reservists”.

60,000 reservists in total