The Israeli military said it had launched a "first-stage" ground offensive, aiming to fully capture and occupy Gaza City.

A military spokesman said that the country's troops are moving in the Zeitoun and Jabalia areas to lay the groundwork for the plan, which Defense Minister Israel Katz approved on Tuesday and is expected to be presented to the security cabinet later this week.

Nearly 60,000 reserve forces have been called to report in early September to allow troops directly involved in the ground fighting to focus on the campaign.

Hamas accused Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement to continue its "barbaric war against innocent civilians," Reuters news agency reported.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza City are expected to be ordered to evacuate and head to shelters in southern Gaza.