JERUSALEM. Israel’s military announced Wednesday that it will call up 60,000 reservists ahead of an expanded operation in Gaza City, one of Hamas’ last strongholds in the north of the enclave.
The move is part of a plan approved by Defense Minister Israel Katz to launch a new phase of operations in Gaza’s most densely populated areas. The plan, pending final approval by the army’s chief of staff, also extends the service of 20,000 reservists already on active duty.
An Israeli military official said troops will advance into areas of Gaza City where they have not yet operated and where Hamas fighters are believed to remain active. Soldiers are already preparing in the Zeitoun neighborhood and Jabaliya refugee camp, with the expanded offensive expected to begin within days. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ordered the timeline for the assault to be accelerated.
Gaza City, home to a vast Hamas tunnel network, is a key military and political hub for the group. Despite months of bombardment, Hamas continues to regroup and launch rockets into Israel, according to Israeli officials. Netanyahu has said the war’s goals remain the release of all hostages and the elimination of Hamas’ military capabilities.
The mobilization marks Israel’s largest call-up in months, highlighting the war’s political and economic strain in a country of fewer than 10 million people. It comes amid mass protests in Israel demanding a ceasefire and growing international criticism of the humanitarian toll in Gaza, where more than two million residents face shortages of food, water and medicine.
On Wednesday, Gaza health officials reported at least 27 Palestinians killed and more than 100 injured at the Zikim crossing after crowds rushed toward a U.N. aid convoy. The officials said most of the casualties were caused by Israeli gunfire. The Israeli military did not immediately comment.
Since Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack that killed around 1,200 people and abducted 251 hostages, Israel’s offensive has killed over 62,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which says women and children make up about half of the dead. The ministry has also reported more than 260 deaths from malnutrition since the war began.
Hamas has indicated acceptance of a 60-day ceasefire proposal brokered by Egypt and Qatar, which includes the release of some hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Israel is reviewing the plan but has insisted that all 50 remaining hostages must be freed. Mediators remain in contact with both sides.
Meanwhile, Israel approved a controversial settlement project in the occupied West Bank’s E1 area, a move that rights groups and Palestinians say would cut the territory in half and eliminate prospects for a future Palestinian state.
Despite international pressure, Netanyahu has vowed not to end the war until Hamas is defeated.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
- Venus L Peñaflor
