The Israeli military announced on Wednesday that 60,000 reservists have been mobilized for active duty. An additional 20,000 reservists will see their tours of duty prolonged as part of what officials refer to as Operation Gideon’s Chariots, the codename for Israel’s strategy to broaden its military offensive in the Gaza Strip.
The introduction of this new war plan has been met with various international responses, including Germany halting all of its arms sales to Israel.
Widespread demonstrations have occurred across Israel, urging a cessation of the Israel-Hamas conflict and an agreement to facilitate the release of hostages held within the territory.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, organizers of the “Israel on Hold” protests, participated in nationwide demonstrations on Sunday. According to the forum, nearly 500,000 demonstrators convened in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square.
The Israel-Hamas war began following a terror attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in over 1,200 deaths and approximately 250 individuals taken hostage. Of these estimated 250 hostages, 140 have been freed via negotiations, eight were rescued, and the remains of 57 who perished in captivity or during rescue efforts have been retrieved. An estimated 20 living hostages are believed to remain in the custody of Hamas and other militant groups. More than 62,000 Palestinians have died since the conflict commenced, as reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health.
Lacking independent on-the-ground monitoring, the ministry serves as the main provider of casualty figures, which are utilized by humanitarian organizations, journalists, and international entities. Its reported numbers do not distinguish between civilians and combatants and cannot be independently substantiated by TIME.
During a military briefing provided to TIME on Wednesday, an official from the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) stated that the recently mobilized reservists are slated for conscription in September, and the subsequent stage of the operation within Gaza City will be submitted to the “political echelon” for endorsement. A military official remarked, “Over the next few weeks, we anticipate the IDF commencing a phased operation in and surrounding Gaza City.”
Israel’s security cabinet endorsed new strategies proposed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on August 8 to establish full military control in Gaza. The broadening of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, the renewed Israeli offensive in Gaza that commenced in May, could culminate in the occupation of the entire territory.
The IDF has already established military positions surrounding Gaza City. IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated, “The civilian population in the combat zone has been advised and asked to relocate southward for their security and to reduce the potential for harm to non-combatants.”
Israel’s decision to call up reservists coincides with international organizations expressing apprehension regarding the worsening humanitarian situation and increased displacement within Gaza.
The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) has cautioned that an escalation in military activities could jeopardize an “already disastrous” situation.
“Given that over 80% of Gaza has already been affected by evacuation directives, it is inconceivable that civilians could be forced to relocate to an even more confined space… Following months of continuous hostilities and successive displacements, the populace in Gaza is completely fatigued,” the ICRC stated on Wednesday.
The United Nations asserts that any intentions to broaden operations in Gaza would place immense burdens “on people already exhausted, malnourished, bereaved, displaced, and deprived of essentials required for survival.”
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which oversees Catholic communities in Gaza, declared it is “diligently observing the swiftly changing circumstances in Gaza City, especially considering recent policy decisions and the ongoing military buildup indicative of an impending invasion.”
In a statement provided to TIME, a spokesperson for the patriarchate indicated that members of the Gaza church have conveyed reports that “the noise and effects of bombardments are approaching alarmingly near the parish compound itself.”
Concurrently, advocacy organizations have also voiced their disapproval of Israel’s newly approved West Bank settlement plans, which gained final authorization on Wednesday.
Promoted by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the project, which had been deferred for decades due to international apprehensions, would geographically isolate the territory by severing the West Bank from East Jerusalem.
Israeli advocacy group Peace Now has stated that the “government’s annexation efforts” are “ensuring numerous additional years of conflict.”
Smotrich, along with fellow far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, was sanctioned by the U.K. and its allies in May. He faced accusations of “inciting extremist violence and severe infringements of Palestinian human rights.”
