Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz has approved the military's plan to seize control of Gaza City and authorized the call-up of around 60,000 reservists to carry it out, his ministry confirmed on Wednesday.

When contacted by AFP, a spokesperson from the defense ministry confirmed the reports which appeared in Israeli media.

Call-up letters will be sent out as soon as the coming days, an Israeli military official said, adding that the reservists' draft will begin in September.

The news came as Israel is studying Hamas' response to a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and release of half the hostages still held in Gaza, two Israeli officials said on Tuesday.

Efforts to pause the fighting gained new momentum over the past week after Israel announced the plans for a new offensive to seize control of Gaza City at the heart of the Palestinian enclave.

Mediators Egypt and Qatar have been pushing proposals to restart indirect talks between the sides on a US-backed ceasefire plan.

Katz met commanders late on Tuesday. Public broadcaster Kan's military correspondent Itay Blumental said on X the meeting was to approve plans to capture Gaza City.

The post cited four stages to the plans: building humanitarian infrastructure in the southern Gaza Strip, evacuation of Gaza City, encirclement of Gaza City and maneuvering into Gaza City.

Thousands of people fearing an imminent Israeli ground offensive are estimated to have fled the area in the past few days for points to the west and south in the shattered territory.