Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said on Thursday he had reviewed a military plan for seizing Gaza City, signaling preparations for what would be one of the most extensive ground operations in Gaza since the war began in October 2023.

Katz met at military headquarters in Tel Aviv with Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and other top commanders, who presented the main principles of an operation to conquer Gaza City and other areas where Israel has not yet gained full control. The plan was approved by the security cabinet earlier this week.

"Israel is determined to defeat Hamas in Gaza, free all the hostages and bring the war to an end," Katz said in a statement issued on his behalf.

"The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is mobilizing all its forces and preparing with great force to implement the cabinet's decision. We will act as one fist until the mission is complete," he added.

As Israeli forces continued their assault in Gaza, local health authorities said Thursday that at least 50 people were killed across the enclave over the past 24 hours and 831 others wounded.

Since October 2023, at least 61,776 people have been killed by Israeli strikes and gunfire, the authorities said.