Israel's military has taken the first steps of a planned operation to take over Gaza City, Israeli military spokesman Brigadier General Effie Defrin said on Wednesday.

Funeral services were held Wednesday for a young Palestinian woman who died in Italy shortly after being evacuated from Gaza last week, exposing Italians to the desperate plight of Palestinians in the besieged territory.

Elsewhere, we’re seeing footage online following further overnight attacks in Ukraine - with reports that a fuel and energy site is on fire in the southern port city of Odesa. Our team is also verifying reports of a Ukrainian drone attack on Voronezh in south-west Russia.

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, although one source reiterated that all Israeli captives must be freed for the war to end.

An Israeli military official says the country’s top generals have approved plans to call up tens of thousands of reservists in order to begin a new phase of operations in some of Gaza’s most densely populated areas.

Israel’s central bank left interest rates unchanged for a 13th consecutive time, as policymakers weigh a slowdown in the economy against ongoing uncertainty from the country’s nearly two-year war in Gaza.

Israel entered the first stages of its planned assault on Gaza City after approving a plan to take over the city that includes calling up 60,000 reservists for its expanded military operation in the besieged Palestinian enclave.

Israeli forces eliminated a Gaza terrorist involved in the Oct. 7 Kibbutz Nir Oz invasion and Yarden Bibas kidnapping during an Aug. 10 airstrike, the IDF and Shin Bet announced.