London, UK,September 4, 2025
A higher escalation of the conflict in Gaza, the Israeli military has begun mobilizing 60,000 reservists for a planned major ground offensive aimed at taking full control of Gaza City. The mass call-up, confirmed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) this week, signals the beginning of a new and decisive phase of the war, as the military prepares to push into Gaza’s largest urban center. The move has sparked widespread debate within Israel, with some reservists expressing doubts about the prolonged conflict and a growing number of protesters demanding a ceasefire.
The mobilization, which began on Tuesday, is part of a phased re-occupation plan approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. The Israeli army has stated that the reservists will be issued weapons, personal gear, and full tactical equipment, and will undergo intensive training in both urban and open-terrain combat to “boost readiness for upcoming missions.” While the IDF says that regular, active-duty soldiers will carry the bulk of the fighting, the sheer scale of the call-up—the largest in Israel’s history—underscores the government’s commitment to achieving its military objectives, which include the complete dismantling of Hamas’s military and governing capabilities.
The offensive, dubbed “Operation Gideon’s Chariots,” is set to target Gaza City, which the Israeli military believes is Hamas’s last significant stronghold. The IDF has already declared the city a “dangerous combat zone” and has intensified its bombardment of the area, raising international alarm about the humanitarian situation for the nearly one million residents still sheltering there. The planned operation aims to first force civilians southward before launching deeper incursions into residential neighborhoods where Hamas fighters are believed to be entrenched in a vast network of tunnels.
However, the unprecedented call-up is not without its domestic challenges. While many reservists have expressed their unwavering commitment to the war, The Guardian reports that thousands of others are facing a “hard choice,” citing ideological fatigue and personal hardship. A small but vocal group of reservists has also publicly stated that they will refuse to serve if called upon for the Gaza City offensive, arguing that the war has gone on for too long and is not achieving its stated goals. This dissent has fueled a growing protest movement across Israel, with thousands taking to the streets to call for a ceasefire and a deal to secure the release of the remaining hostages.
IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir has acknowledged the immense burden on reservists, describing them as a “precious natural resource” for the army. He has also been a vocal advocate for sharing the burden of military service across all parts of Israeli society, a clear reference to the debate surrounding military exemptions for ultra-Orthodox men. For its part, the military remains steadfast in its mission. In a statement on Tuesday, it declared that the war will not stop until both of its stated missions are achieved: the defeat of Hamas and the return of the hostages.
Headline Points
* Massive Mobilization: Israel has begun to mobilize 60,000 reservists as part of a planned large-scale offensive to take over Gaza City.
* Intensified Offensive: The call-up signals a new, more intensive phase of the war, targeting Hamas’s last major stronghold.
* Domestic Dissent: The move has highlighted growing divisions within Israel, with some reservists expressing fatigue and a protest movement calling for a ceasefire.
* Strategic Objective: The Israeli military aims to seize full control of Gaza City and dismantle Hamas’s military and governing capabilities.
* Humanitarian Concerns: The operation has raised international alarm over the safety of the nearly one million Palestinians in the city.
