The Israeli military said Wednesday that it is calling up tens of thousands of reservists before the expanded military incursion into Gaza City, even as the country’s government is considering a proposal for a ceasefire with Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The deadly conflict has moved into a new phase as Israel's military says it has moved forward with a plan to take over Gaza City.

Call-up letters have gone out to 60,000 reservists to bolster an operation which is expected to last until next year.