Israel Mobilizes 60,000 Reservists for Major Ground Offensive in Gaza City

In a bold move, the Israeli military has called up around 60,000 reservists to participate in an imminent offensive aimed at capturing Gaza City. This operation has raised alarms among international organizations regarding the potential humanitarian crisis, as mass evacuations of Palestinian civilians are anticipated.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are ramping up preparations for a major ground offensive in Gaza City by mobilizing approximately 60,000 reservists, with plans for extensive military engagement in the area. A military spokesperson confirmed that the reservists would report for duty in September, with the majority being active-duty personnel already engaged in operations in the Zeitoun and Jabalia districts. This decision comes on the heels of Defence Minister Israel Katz's approval of the offensive, which aims to capture and occupy the entire city of Gaza.

Evacuations of hundreds of thousands of Palestinian civilians are anticipated, as the military has begun issuing orders for people to move south to shelters. These actions have drawn sharp criticism from various international allies, as well as concerns expressed by the United Nations and non-governmental organizations regarding the alarming humanitarian implications of the conflict. After months of stalled peace negotiations with Hamas regarding hostages and potential ceasefire agreements, the Israeli government has now signaled its intent to establish full control over the Gaza Strip.

Concurrent with this mobilization, regional mediators are frantically working towards brokering a 60-day truce and the release of half of approximately 50 hostages still held by Hamas. Although Hamas has reportedly accepted this proposal, Israeli officials are holding out for a more comprehensive agreement that results in the full release of all hostages involved.

As part of preparations for what has been termed "Operation Gideon's Chariots," the IDF announced that 20,000 reservists currently on duty would have their orders extended to support the operation. Senior military commanders are finalizing plans for a "gradual" and "precise" action, involving five divisions that are to be deployed in and around Gaza City. Defence Minister Katz emphasized that post-operation, he envisions a significant transformation of Gaza.

Meanwhile, as the offensive grows nearer, actions such as the Israeli military's operations in Jabalia and Gaza City continue. These maneuvers are said to involve dismantling military infrastructures and consolidating operational control amid warnings concerning civilian safety, urging them to move south for security.

In response, Gaza's Hamas-run Civil Defence agency has voiced its alarm at the precarious situation, citing ongoing shelling and increased casualties, including reported fatalities from Israeli strikes. The challenges are compounded by the dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza, which have only worsened amid the ongoing conflict since the attack resulting in 1,200 casualties back in October 2023. Current estimates report over 62,000 deaths in Gaza, with major disruptions to health services, food supply, and basic human needs.

International agencies continue to advocate for the protection of civilians, stressing that further military action risks amplifying the already catastrophic humanitarian impacts, driving more people to overcrowded and under-resourced southern areas.