Israel Moves Forward With Massive Reservist Mobilization Ahead of Gaza City Offensive

by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff

JERUSALEM (Worthy News) – Israel is preparing to issue tens of thousands of emergency call-up orders to reservists beginning Wednesday, as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) finalize operational plans for a large-scale ground assault on Gaza City, defense officials confirmed.

The move, which accelerates earlier timelines, could see as many as 80,000 reservists mobilized. Initially, the government had planned to delay the call-ups until next month to ease the strain on families during the summer holiday period. However, political leaders directed the IDF to advance the mobilization to support the impending offensive. Draft notices will be rolled out gradually.

War Fatigue Concerns

Military commanders acknowledged that turnout may be lower than the overwhelming response seen after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, massacre. Nearly two years of war have placed immense stress on soldiers and their families, raising fears that a weaker response could prolong the campaign in Gaza well into 2026.

On Tuesday evening, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir presented Defense Minister Israel Katz with detailed plans, including the mobilization of up to 60,000 reservists in addition to 20,000 already deployed. Reservists will not be called for immediate service; instead, they will receive about two weeks to prepare before orderly integration into the operational framework.

“The goal is to integrate the forces in a coordinated manner to ensure long-term operational stability,” a senior military source said.

Encircling Gaza City

Under the plan, regular army brigades will encircle Gaza City along multiple axes after urging civilians to evacuate southward. Defense officials hope most of the estimated one million Palestinians remaining in the city will leave, though past evacuations have shown that hundreds of thousands may stay.

Despite the intensifying preparations, officials stressed Israel is “far from” imposing direct military rule in Gaza. Hamas still maintains control over much of the enclave’s civilian infrastructure.

Aid Disputes and Cabinet Funding

Meanwhile, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) accused the United Nations of significantly underreporting humanitarian aid deliveries. Since May, UN reports listed only 3,553 aid trucks entering Gaza, while Israel says it allowed nearly 9,200–leaving what it described as a “gap” of nearly 6,000 trucks.

To further ease humanitarian pressures, the Israeli cabinet approved 1.6 billion shekels ($430 million) in funding for Gaza aid, warning that more may be needed if the war drags on.

Hostage Deal and Diplomatic Pressure

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues consultations on Hamas’ response to the latest cease-fire and hostage release proposal conveyed through mediators. Israel insists on a “comprehensive deal” that would secure the release of all 50 remaining hostages and dismantle Hamas.

“The policy of Israel is consistent and has not changed. We will not leave any hostages behind,” a senior official said.

In Washington, White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. was still reviewing Hamas’ response, adding, “We do not think it is a coincidence that Hamas agreed after President Trump’s strong message on Gaza.”

Qatari spokesman Majed al-Ansari confirmed that Hamas had responded positively to the proposal following high-level talks in Cairo with Qatar’s prime minister and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. He called the plan “the best available option,” warning that failure to strike a deal could worsen Gaza’s humanitarian crisis.

Netanyahu’s Conditions for Ending the War

During a visit to the Gaza front this week, Netanyahu said Hamas was under “atomic pressure” and reiterated Israel’s five conditions for ending the conflict:

1. dismantling Hamas’ military capabilities,
2. the return of all hostages,
3.  demilitarization of Gaza,
4.  Continued Israeli security control, and
5.  a new civilian administration independent of both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority.

With the IDF preparing to move into Gaza City, Israel is entering one of the most decisive phases of the nearly two-year-long war.

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