Israel gave final approval Wednesday for a controversial settlement project in the occupied West Bank that would effectively cut the territory in two. Meanwhile, the IDF said it had begun the first stages of its planned assault to seize Gaza City.

The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which organized the "Israel on Hold” protests, said that over a million people took part in the demonstrations across the country on Sunday. Per the organization, almost 500,000 protesters gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square.

The Israeli military has announced taking first steps of a planned assault to take over Gaza City, calling up to  60,000 reservists to assist with the process as mediators from surrounding countries become desperate to reach an agreement before the new offensive begins.

The Israeli army will call up 60,000 reservist soldiers to fight in Gaza City under an occupation plan, local media reported on Wednesday. The army’s decision came after Defense Minister Israel Katz approved a plan to occupy Gaza City, Israeli public broadcaster KAN said Wednesday.