Israel to call up 60,000 reservists for Gaza City invasion

The Israeli military said on Wednesday that it would begin calling up around 60,000 reservists for duty as it proceeds with plans to take over Gaza City, a Hamas stronghold where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are believed to be sheltering.

- Anat Peled

The decision comes as an overwhelming majority of Israelis want the government to strike a deal to end the war in exchange for the remaining hostages held by Hamas. Israel's largely reservist army is exhausted after nearly two years of fighting.

Israel also plans to extend active duty for around 20,000 reservists already serving, the military said. Reservists will begin to receive letters in the coming days, a military official said. The military doesn't reveal the number of troops in its standing army, but the official said most troops serving in Gaza aren't reservists.

Israel's security cabinet earlier this month approved the invasion and takeover of Gaza City and the evacuation of its population to the south. The military's plans for the operation are expected to be endorsed by the security cabinet in the coming days, according to Israeli officials.

The offensive is expected to begin in September, although the military has already started operating on the outskirts of Gaza City, including areas like Jabalia and Zaytoun, the military official said.

After the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel, many reservists were quick to report for duty, including those who hadn't been formally called up in the first few days. But commanders say it has become harder to convince reservists, who have to leave their families and jobs, to report for duty. People can often get exemptions from reserve duty even though it is mandatory.