The Israeli army's plan, which includes the mobilization of around 60,000 reservists, has heightened fears that the campaign will worsen the already catastrophic humanitarian crisis in the blockaded coastal strip.

"The intensification of military operations in Gaza means more killings, more displacement, more destruction and more panic," Christian Cardon, chief spokesman for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), told AFP.

"Gaza is a closed space from which no one can escape and where access to healthcare, food, and clean water is dwindling," Cardon said.

"Meanwhile, the safety of humanitarian workers is deteriorating with every passing hour. This is unacceptable," the spokesman added. | BGNES