Israel Prepares for Expanded Gaza City Offensive, Calling Up 60,000 Reservists

In a significant escalation of its military campaign, Israel has authorized the call-up of approximately 60,000 military reservists as it prepares to launch a new phase of its offensive into Gaza City. This move, part of an operation codenamed "Gideon's Chariots B," signals a determined push to seize control of what the Israeli military considers the primary military and governing stronghold of Hamas. The decision comes at a time of intense diplomatic activity aimed at securing a ceasefire and amid growing international alarm over the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. The planned offensive into Gaza City, a densely populated urban center, is expected to focus on targeting Hamas's extensive underground tunnel network and remaining military infrastructure.
The authorization to mobilize the reservists was given by Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz after he met with senior military and security officials. According to military sources, while the call-up notices will be issued in the coming days, the actual deployment is not expected to be immediate, with reservists given a couple of weeks to prepare. This delayed deployment creates a window for potential diplomatic breakthroughs, but also underscores Israel's commitment to its military objectives. This is not the first large-scale reserve mobilization in the nearly two-year-old conflict. In the immediate aftermath of the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas, Israel called up an unprecedented 360,000 reservists in the largest mobilization since the 1973 Yom Kippur War. While the initial call-up saw an overwhelming and enthusiastic response, there are reports of growing war fatigue and discontent among some reservists and their families, with some questioning the government's motivations for prolonging the conflict.
The planned offensive is a continuation of Israel's military strategy, which has seen its forces operate in various parts of the Gaza Strip since the war began. The current phase, "Gideon's Chariots B," follows an earlier campaign that saw the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) gain control of a significant portion of the territory. The military states that its objective remains the complete dismantling of Hamas's military capabilities and the return of all remaining hostages. However, the timing of the call-up and the planned operation is particularly sensitive. It coincides with renewed efforts by international mediators from Qatar, Egypt, and the United States to secure a ceasefire deal. Hamas has reportedly approved a framework for a 60-day truce that would include a staggered release of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, as well as an increase in humanitarian aid. A senior Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that Israel remains firm on its demand for all hostages to be released at once. The discrepancy between these two positions highlights a significant hurdle in the ongoing negotiations.
International reaction to the planned offensive has been swift and largely critical. World leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have warned that an expanded military operation in Gaza City could lead to a "complete disaster" for both sides and risk "permanent war" in the region. The United Nations Human Rights Office has also expressed deep concern, stating that the systematic destruction of Gaza City is already underway and that a new offensive could lead to mass killings of civilians and the destruction of vital infrastructure. The international community has repeatedly voiced alarm over the deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Gaza, where a massive portion of the population has been displaced multiple times and is facing a full-blown crisis of hunger and malnutrition. Aid organizations have warned that an expanded assault would only exacerbate this dire situation, putting an even greater strain on hospitals and aid distribution efforts that are already operating far beyond their capacity.
For the Palestinians still in Gaza City, the announcement of a new offensive deepens their sense of despair and the difficult choices they face. Despite repeated evacuation orders from the Israeli military, many have chosen to remain, believing there is no safe place left to go. The humanitarian situation is already catastrophic, with limited access to food, water, and medical supplies. The Israeli military has said it will issue evacuation orders before its forces move in, but past experience has shown that civilians have little recourse or safe passage. The planned operation, which the military official said could last for months, would see Israeli troops operate in areas where they have not yet been deployed, and where hundreds of thousands of civilians are still sheltering. The military claims Hamas is regrouping in these areas, but the reality for the civilian population is one of increasing fear and desperation. The new call-up and planned offensive thus represent a critical juncture in the ongoing conflict, with military objectives clashing with urgent humanitarian needs and intense diplomatic pressure to find a path to peace.
Source@BBC