Israel expands reservist call up

An Israeli official said the military will mobilize tens of thousands of reservists to begin a new phase of operations in Gaza City.

Israel expands reservist call up as Gaza operation enters a new phase

Israel plans a new phase of operations in Gaza City and nearby areas, calling up 50,000 reservists in the coming month. The plan was approved by the military leadership and targets parts of Gaza City where Hamas remains active. Ground work in the Zeitoun and Jabaliya neighborhoods is described as preparatory for an expanded operation, with formal approval anticipated from the chief of staff in the days ahead. The overall number of active reservists would rise to about 120,000.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said the objective is to secure the release of hostages and prevent any future threat from Hamas. The fighting since October 7, 2023 has caused heavy casualties and displacement. The move has drawn international condemnation and heightened fears of mass displacement in Gaza, where hundreds of thousands of people are sheltering in the city. Hamas says it will only free the rest in exchange for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal.

The escalation foregrounds a clash between security aims and humanitarian concern. Expanding a ground operation in a crowded city raises civilian harm and displacement risks while pressing diplomatic channels at a moment when ceasefire terms are unsettled. The mobilization also exposes fault lines inside Netanyahu’s coalition over how to pursue a lasting end to the conflict. As international actors call for restraint, humanitarian organizations will seek safe corridors and predictable access to aid, highlighting the tension between military objectives and the wellbeing of civilians.

Highlights

The next days will test how diplomacy and security work together in a fragile moment.