Israel is intensifying its strikes on Gaza City, the territory’s largest urban centre, as it plans to seize it.

Fearing an imminent Israeli ground offensive, thousands of Palestinians have left their homes in eastern areas of Gaza City, now under constant Israeli bombardment, for points to the west and south of the shattered territory.

Anxious families of hostages have called for a “nationwide day of stoppage” in Israel on Sunday to express growing frustration over 22 months of war.