Several explosions in Khan Younis

(Reuters) – There were several explosions heard and seen from Khan Younis in southern Gaza on Wednesday morning a day after Israel said it was studying the response by the Palestinian group Hamas to a proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and release of half the hostages still held in Gaza, two Israeli officials said on Tuesday.

Thousands of Gazans have been moving south and west from Gaza City fearing an imminent Israeli ground offensive and on Wednesday an Israeli military official said that 50,000 reservists would be called up ahead of the push.

The military official said that most forces that would operate in the enclave's largest urban centre would be active duty soldiers.

Those call-up notices may be sent in the coming days with reservists to report for duty in September, the military official said, without specifying when exactly.

Israeli gunfire, tank shelling and airstrikes killed at least 20 Palestinians on Tuesday, according to Gaza health officials.