GAZA/JERUSALEM - Israel heavily bombarded Gaza City early Tuesday, said multiple media reports.

Axios, a US media outlet, reported that the Israeli military launched a ground offensive on Monday to occupy Gaza City, citing Israeli officials. Israeli newspaper The Jerusalem Post confirmed that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)'s invasion of Gaza City erupted late Monday night.

According to the Times of Israel, the IDF has been gradually expanding airstrikes in and around the city in recent days, but has not dispatched ground troops into the densely populated northern city.

Local sources and eyewitnesses in Gaza denied any Israeli tank incursion into the Gaza City. There was no sighting yet of penetration or movement of Israeli tanks into the depth of the city, according to locals in Gaza City. But they confirmed intense air strikes and drone bombings in most parts of Gaza City.

ALSO READ: Rubio vows 'unwavering support' for Israel, calls for Hamas' elimination

The Palestinian official news agency WAFA reported on early Tuesday that the Israeli army has intensified its raids on Gaza City since Monday night. Citing local sources, WAFA said that Israeli warplanes were launching continuous raids on the city, almost not stopping.

In recent weeks, some 300,000 Palestinians have fled Gaza City, home to nearly 1 million people, reported Israel's Army Radio.

In early August, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced that Israel's Security Cabinet had approved a plan to take over Gaza City. Israel's military spokesperson Effie Defrin said earlier this month that Israeli forces control about 40 percent of Gaza City and will "expand and intensify" the offensive in the coming days to seize the enclave's largest urban center.