Thousands of reservists have begun reporting for duty as the Israeli military presses ahead with its offensive to conquer Gaza City.
Ground forces are already pushing into the outskirts of Gaza's largest urban area, which the military has said is a stronghold of Hamas.
The city is also coming under heavy Israeli aerial and artillery bombardment, with local hospitals saying that more than 50 Palestinians have been killed there since midnight.
The military has ordered residents to evacuate and head south immediately. The UN says an estimated 20,000 have done so over the past two weeks, but almost a million remain.
UN humanitarian officials have warned that the impact of a full-blown offensive would be beyond catastrophic, not only for those in the city but for the entire Gaza Strip.
Last month, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said about 60,000 reservists would be called up ahead of Operation Gideon's Chariots II – the next phase of the ground offensive that it launched in May, taking control of at least 75% of Gaza.
On Tuesday, an Israeli military official stated that thousands had begun reporting for duty as part of this mobilization effort.
Israeli media reported that many reservists would be deployed to the occupied West Bank and northern Israel to allow active-duty personnel to focus on the Gaza offensive.
However, some combat units are experiencing lower turnout compared to previous call-ups, as reservists who have already served several tours during the ongoing conflict are requesting exemptions for personal or financial reasons.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized Israel's intention to conquer all of Gaza following failed indirect negotiations with Hamas regarding a ceasefire and hostage release.
The armed group is currently holding 48 hostages, with 20 believed to be alive.
Families of the hostages fear the new military offensive could endanger their loved ones and are urging the prime minister to negotiate a deal for their safe return.
In a statement to the reservists at the Nachshonim base, IDF Chief of Staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir stressed that the military is preparing for nothing less than a decisive victory, pledging to intensify military operations until Hamas is defeated.
Recent reports indicate that Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the deaths of at least 95 Palestinians since midnight on Tuesday, with hospitals struggling to cope with the increased wounded.
The humanitarian conditions in Gaza are deteriorating rapidly, with UN authorities warning of a famine and dire shortages of medical supplies impacting the health services.
