Gaza City, Gaza Strip — The Israeli military is mobilizing approximately 60,000 reservists as it prepares for a significant ground offensive intended to seize control of Gaza City. This operation, centered on the full occupation of the urban area, is expected to include a large engagement of active-duty forces.

Military officials indicated that these reservists are scheduled to report for duty next month. The mobilization comes as Israeli troops have already been deployed in areas like Zeitoun and Jabalia as preliminary actions ahead of the planned offensive, which received approval from Defense Minister Israel Katz earlier this week and will soon face the scrutiny of the security cabinet.

The anticipated military action has led to warnings for hundreds of thousands of Palestinian residents in Gaza City to evacuate toward safer areas in southern Gaza as the conflict escalates. Concerns over humanitarian repercussions have emerged, with several international allies of Israel condemning the planned offensive. Organizations such as the United Nations and various non-governmental organizations have voiced alarm at the potential for further mass displacement, which they argue could exacerbate an already dire humanitarian crisis after nearly two years of sustained conflict.

The recent decision follows the collapse of indirect discussions between Israel and Hamas regarding a ceasefire and a hostage release arrangement. Despite a new proposal presented by regional mediators for a 60-day truce that includes the potential release of half the remaining 50 hostages believed to be held by Hamas, Israeli officials are pushing for a more comprehensive agreement that would secure the release of all hostages. Of those still held, reports suggest that only 20 may be alive.

As part of its ongoing preparations for what it has termed “the next phase of Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued reservist orders Wednesday. This follows the previous mobilization of 20,000 reservists, who will have their current orders extended. Senior military commanders have stated that the operation will be “gradual” and “precise,” focusing on Gaza City.

Israeli officials are planning for the involvement of five divisions in the upcoming offensive. In recent statements, Defense Minister Katz emphasized that the operation would fundamentally alter Gaza, asserting that the region would no longer resemble its former self after the military campaign concludes. He has also approved provisions to accommodate residents displaced within Gaza, including the establishment of additional food distribution points and field hospitals in the south.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted that the military’s goals are twofold: to secure the release of all hostages held by Hamas and to ensure the complete dismantling of the group’s military infrastructure. Meanwhile, the Givati Brigade has reportedly resumed actions in northern areas of Gaza, focusing on eradicating military targets and asserting operational control.

As hostilities intensify, conditions in areas like Zeitoun and Sabra remain critical, as reported by Gaza’s Hamas-run Civil Defense agency. They described the situation as “very dangerous and unbearable,” with ongoing artillery shelling complicating living conditions further. Recent Israeli attacks have resulted in significant civilian casualties, exacerbating the strain on local humanitarian resources.

International bodies have raised urgent concerns about the implications of the planned military offensive for civilians already suffering from the knock-on effects of prolonged conflict. A joint statement from various organizations noted that forcing large numbers of people to relocate south could lead to catastrophic conditions, given the overcrowded and under-resourced nature of those areas. Southern hospitals, already overwhelmed, would be ill-equipped to handle an influx of additional patients from the north.

In the backdrop of this escalation, the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen, with UN agencies estimating that at least 62,000 people have died in Gaza since the conflict reignited following a massive Hamas attack on southern Israel in October 2023. The ongoing destruction has left a significant portion of Gaza’s infrastructure in ruins, and experts warn of impending famine conditions as essential supplies dwindle. The situation remains volatile, with both military and civilian lives at increased risk as the conflict unfolds.