Israel’s military said yesterday that it would call up 60,000 reservists ahead of an expanded military operation in Gaza City.

Many Palestinians have chosen to stay in the area despite the danger as seeking safety seems increasingly futile amid the growing humanitarian crisis.

Calling up extra military reservists is part of a plan defence minister Israel Katz approved to begin a new phase of operations in some of Gaza’s most densely populated areas, the military said.

The plan, which is expected to receive the chief of staff’s final approval in the coming days, also includes extending the service of 20,000 additional reservists who are already on active duty.