Israel Calls Up Reservists For New Offensive – But No Response on Ceasefire Plan 

The Israeli military announced Wednesday that it will call up 60,000 reservists and extend the service of 20,000 others in the coming weeks as it prepares to seize Gaza City, the Financial Times reported. 

Defense Minister Israel Katz authorized the plan, which the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said would bring the number of active reservists to 120,000, amid fierce international criticism of Israel’s 22-month war and just days after Hamas agreed to a ceasefire proposal.  

It is part of a larger strategy approved by the security cabinet to push into Gaza City after weeks of operations in surrounding districts, such as Jabalia and Zeitoun.  

Residents in those areas reported heavy shelling in recent days that drove more civilians to flee to the south of the Palestinian enclave. Restrictions on the distribution of aid and the destruction of infrastructure have deepened a hunger crisis that has left dozens of children dead from starvation.  

Satellite imagery shows mass displacement around Gaza City, with tent camps emptied as families search for safety, according to NBC News. 

Wednesday’s call-up comes as mediators await a formal response from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a proposed deal that could suspend the fighting, at least temporarily.  

On Monday, Hamas announced it had accepted a proposal for a 60-day truce during which Hamas would release some of the 50 remaining hostages – about 20 of whom are believed to be alive – in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Negotiations for a longer truce would continue following the exchange.  

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said Tuesday that “the ball is now in Israel’s court” and urged the Israeli government to accept the deal to avert worsening starvation and further civilian deaths. 

For his part, Netanyahu has insisted that Israel will fight until Hamas is destroyed, claiming that achieving that total victory is the best way to secure the hostages’ release. 

Netanyahu’s far-right allies have also rejected any partial deal, with National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir declaring that the prime minister “has no mandate” to pursue such an arrangement. 

Along with calling up reserves to fight in Gaza, Israel also approved a controversial settlement plan in the West Bank. Located in the E1 area near Jerusalem, the proposed settlement would split the West Bank in two. 

While Palestinians and rights groups warned that it would undermine prospects for a future Palestinian state, Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich used that same claim to argue in favor of the settlement plan.  

Notably, the approval comes ahead of a United Nations meeting next month, where Israel’s allies, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and Australia are expected to back recognition of Palestinian statehood. 

The war in Gaza began shortly after Hamas and its allies launched an attack in southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people and saw more than 250 taken hostage. 

In response, Israel launched an offensive that has left more than 62,000 Palestinians dead, according to Gaza health authorities.  

The conflict has provoked mounting protests inside Israel, with hundreds of thousands demanding a deal to bring the hostages home, and has drawn growing international condemnation, including genocide allegations at the International Court of Justice.  

Israel has repeatedly rejected those charges and maintains it is acting within international law.