Destroyed buildings in the besieged Palestinian territory, Aug.19, 2025. (Credit: Jack Guez.)
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz on Wednesday ordered the call-up of 60,000 reservists after giving the green light to a major military operation to seize Gaza City, even as mediation efforts continue for a ceasefire and the release of hostages in the Palestinian territory.
The Security Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, had already approved in early August a broader plan to take control of Gaza City and central refugee camps, seen as Hamas’s last strongholds. The plan includes securing control over the entire Gaza Strip and freeing the remaining hostages.
According to the Israeli army, 49 hostages are still held in Gaza, 27 of whom are presumed dead. These individuals were kidnapped during Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which sparked the current war.
Katz “approved the Israelis' army operational plan for Gaza City,” the largest city in the enclave, his ministry told AFP. He also gave the go-ahead to issue reserve call-up orders, with 60,000 to be immediately mobilized. Ultimately, around 130,000 reservists are expected to be deployed for the operation, which could extend into 2026. The service period for currently deployed soldiers will be extended by about a month. The plan still awaits final approval from the Security Cabinet, expected Thursday.
This new phase, dubbed “Operation Gideon’s Chariots II”, follows an earlier version of the same name approved in May 2025, according to Israeli media. The objective is to evacuate Gaza City’s population to the south before Israeli forces occupy the area. The plan involves deploying five army divisions, in addition to the existing Gaza Division. Israeli forces have already begun preliminary attacks in the area, with reports of intensifying strikes and ground incursions in the city. Leaflets urging residents in neighborhoods like Jabaliya to evacuate have also been dropped.
'Prolonged Operation'
After targeting the Zeitoun district, Israeli operations now appear focused on Sabra, with reports of heavy bombardment and tank movements. Gaza’s Civil Defense says 21 people were killed on Wednesday alone in Israeli strikes and gunfire.
Israel’s military goal remains unchanged: a military defeat of Hamas and the release of the 49 remaining hostages. Israeli officials say two Hamas brigades remain active in Gaza City.
The Forum of Hostage and Missing Families has demanded an urgent meeting with Defense Minister Katz and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir to obtain guarantees for their loved ones’ safety before further operations begin. The group fears a repeat of incidents like the death of six hostages in Rafah during previous operations. “Operation Gideon’s Chariots II must not lead to the murder of the six remaining hostages,” they said in a statement quoted by Haaretz.
Military Losses
The daily Ma’ariv estimates the Gaza City invasion could cost the Israeli army up to 100 additional soldier deaths, adding to the 462 soldiers killed since the war began.
Political Pressure on Military Service
The issue of military conscription and reserve duty remains politically sensitive in Israel. Ultra-Orthodox Jews, currently exempt from service, continue to resist conscription, even as public pressure grows for their inclusion. Reserve duty can last 70 to 100 days, in addition to three years of mandatory service for men and two for women.
Cease-fire Proposal in Limbo
Katz’s decision came two days after Hamas agreed to a new cease-fire proposal brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States, which includes a 60-day truce and a two-stage release of hostages. Israel has not formally responded, but a government source told AFP that Netanyahu’s government remains committed to its position: the release of all hostages must come before the war ends.
Israeli media noted Wednesday that Netanyahu has not scheduled a Security Cabinet meeting to discuss the mediation proposal. The current proposal is based on a previous U.S. plan by envoy Steve Witkoff, offering the release of 10 living hostages and the bodies of 18 others in exchange for a 60-day truce and further negotiations to end the war.
Two earlier cease-fires, in November 2023 and early 2025, led to the release of some hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Meanwhile, over two million Palestinians remain trapped under Israeli siege in Gaza, facing famine-level conditions according to the U.N. Israel denies deliberately starving civilians and claims it is allowing more humanitarian aid into the devastated enclave.
The Oct.7 attack killed 1,219 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to AFP figures based on official Israeli data. In response, Israel’s offensive has killed 62,064 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, whose figures are considered credible by the United Nations.
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