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Israel launched the first phase of its planned offensive against Gaza City on Wednesday after clashes with Hamas and is now in control of the city's outskirts, Israeli military spokeswoman Effie Defrin told reporters, according to a Reuters report.

Israeli troops clashed with more than 15 Hamas gunmen who emerged from tunnels and attacked with gunfire and anti-tank rockets near Khan Younis, south of Gaza City, on Wednesday, seriously wounding one soldier and lightly wounding two others, an Israeli military official said.

Following the clash with Hamas, IDF spokeswoman Effie Defrin said:

We will intensify the attack on Hamas in Gaza City, the stronghold of the terrorist organization's governmental and military terror.

The Israeli army has previously announced that it will call up 60,000 reservists for a major ground operation aimed at capturing Gaza in its entirety. The operation is scheduled for September and will involve five divisions in addition to active-duty soldiers, the BBC reports.

Preparations for the attack have already begun: Israeli troops are currently carrying out operations in the eastern and northern parts of the city, including around Zeitoun and Jabalia. Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are expected to be called upon to leave their homes and move south to temporary shelters, areas that are already overcrowded and suffering from shortages of food, water and medicine.

The UN has warned that the offensive could have devastating humanitarian consequences.

International organizations, including the United Nations, have warned that the new offensive could have devastating humanitarian consequences. The Israeli defense minister said the operation would “permanently change the face of Gaza,” while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has set the goal of completely defeating Hamas and freeing the hostages still held.

The announcement of the operation came after Egypt- and Qatar-brokered talks on a ceasefire and the release of hostages failed. While Hamas on Monday accepted a new 60-day ceasefire proposal, Israel would only accept a comprehensive deal guaranteeing the release of all hostages, while reports suggest that only 20 hostages may still be alive.

The Israeli president stressed that Israel does not want to destroy Gaza, but rather to eliminate Hamas' military and political power. He added that in the long term, he envisions a new, civilian-based administration in the zone, which is neither under Israeli nor Hamas-linked Palestinian influence.

Netanyahu also harshly criticized the international press, which he said was broadcasting Hamas propaganda by blaming Israel for the famine in the Gaza Strip. He said the humanitarian crisis was not the fault of the Israeli blockade, but of Hamas, which often uses or obstructs aid deliveries for its own purposes.

More and more people are recognizing the Palestinian state

The Israeli head of state also criticized the Australian prime minister after Australia, following several countries, including Mexico, Slovenia, and Spain, recognized the Palestinian state. Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday that he always treats leaders of other countries with respect and does not take Netanyahu's statements as a personal insult.

A recent poll found that 58 percent of Americans support all UN member states recognizing Palestine as a state. Only a third of those surveyed opposed recognition, and 9 percent did not answer the question.