IDF Preparing to Call Up 80,000-100,000 Reservists for Gaza City Offensive

by Emmitt Barry, Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau Chief

(Worthy News) – The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) is preparing for one of its largest reserve mobilizations in decades, as military leaders finalize plans for a massive ground offensive to capture Gaza City.

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir has approved the “core concept” of the operation, which could see between 80,000 and 100,000 reservists called up under emergency orders. The decision follows authorization from Israel’s Security Cabinet, with final operational details expected to be hammered out in the coming days.

Senior IDF officials have made clear that such an extensive call-up is essential for the campaign’s success. “We will definitely mobilize reserves — the question is not if, but how many,” one official said, noting that planning must also account for the olive harvest season in the Judea and Samaria (West Bank) and the upcoming Jewish holidays.

A Prolonged Urban Battle

The Gaza City operation, targeting Hamas strongholds in the north of the Strip, is expected to be both prolonged and intense. Military estimates suggest that the extended maneuver could last well into 2026, with urban combat, high-rise clearance operations, and counter-guerrilla tactics dominating the battlefield.

Recent operations in Gaza City’s Zeitoun neighborhood have provided the IDF with updated intelligence and tactical experience ahead of the planned push. The next round of high-level discussions will focus on urban maneuver tactics and dealing with entrenched Hamas units.

Leadership Tensions Amid War Planning

Zamir’s early approval — coming two days ahead of schedule — followed a meeting with the General Staff Forum, Shin Bet representatives, and senior commanders. In recent weeks, he has clashed publicly with Defense Minister Israel Katz, who has pushed for a full-force approach in Gaza. Katz has insisted that Israel must act decisively in response to Hamas’ refusal to release hostages.

Despite earlier reservations about a full-scale occupation, Zamir now says the campaign will “lead to the collapse of Hamas’s military and governing capabilities” and end only “when we can ensure our security and our future.”

Mobilizing “All Forces”

Katz confirmed after a briefing with Zamir that the IDF is “mobilizing all forces and preparing with great strength to implement the cabinet’s decision. We will act as one fist until the mission is completed.”

If approved at the projected scale, this reservist mobilization would be one of the largest in Israel’s history, underscoring both the scale of the Gaza City operation and the government’s determination to achieve a decisive military outcome.

A Prophetic Hope

Beyond the battlefield, some Bible prophecy teachers are watching events in Gaza with particular interest. They point to Isaiah 60:18, which reads: “Violence (Hamas) shall no longer be heard in your land, neither wasting nor destruction within your borders; but you shall call your walls Salvation, and your gates Praise.” They see the current military push — and the potential removal of the Hamas terrorist organization from power — as a hopeful sign that this ancient prophecy could be moving toward fulfillment.

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