The Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, on Wednesday approved a plan for the full takeover of Gaza City, the enclave’s biggest urban hub and shelter to nearly one million Palestinians.
Katz also authorized the call-up of nearly 60,000 reservists and extended service for others for the fighting in Gaza. “As part of the next phase of Operation “Gideon’s Chariots”, ~60,000 reserve orders were issued this morning, and 20,000 reservists had their service extended,” the Israeli military said in a statement.
A military official told Reuters that the reservists would report for duty in September, adding that the expanded offensive in Gaza would include five divisions and that most reservists would not take place in the Gaza City operation.
Earlier this month, the Israeli security cabinet approved a plan to expand the offensive in Gaza, including occupying Gaza City. As a result, the Israeli military has intensified its air strikes and ground operations in Gaza, preparing for a “prolonged operation of several months that will run into 2026,” according to Israeli army radio.
Moreover, the Israeli military announced it would start relocating Gaza residents to the south of the enclave, intensified operations in Zeitoun neighborhood, southeast of Gaza City, and started to concentrate its firepower on nearby Sabra, reported AFP.
“We will be moving into a new phase of combat, a gradual, precise and targeted operation in and around Gaza City,” a military official told reporters. He confirmed that the Israeli military had already begun operating in the neighborhoods of Zeitoun and Jabalia as part of the initial stages.
The move comes as Hamas agreed to a new ceasefire proposal by mediators Egypt and Qatar, while Israel has not submitted its formal response, with officials suggesting Tel Aviv will only accept a deal that releases all hostages at once.
