The Israeli military declared Gaza City "a dangerous combat zone" on Friday ahead of a looming offensive to conquer the Palestinian territory's largest city after almost two years of devastating war.

Israel is under mounting pressure at home and abroad to end its offensive in Gaza, where the vast majority of the population has been displaced at least once and the United Nations has declared a famine.

The Israeli military, however, is gearing up to expand the fighting and seize Gaza City, with its Arabic-language spokesman saying on Friday: "We are not waiting.

"We have begun preliminary operations and the initial stages of the attack on Gaza City, and we are currently operating with great force on the outskirts of the city," Avichay Adraee said on X.

Late on Friday, Israeli military chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir said in a video statement his forces were "enhancing the strikes in the Gaza City area, and we will intensify our efforts in the coming weeks".

The UN estimates that nearly a million people currently live in Gaza governorate, which includes Gaza City and its surroundings.

The UN declared a famine in Gaza governorate last week, blaming "systematic........

© Al Monitor