Israel to call up 60,000 reservists for Gaza offensive

The Israeli military is calling up to 60,000 reservists for a new offensive in Gaza City and other heavily populated areas of the war-torn Gaza Strip.

- STEFFIE BANATVALA

Yesterday, Brigadier General Effie Defrin announced that the offensive had begun, saying that IDF troops had already started circling the outskirts of Gaza City and that Hamas was now a “battered and bruised” guerrilla force.

Following a clash with Hamas south of Khan Younis in the strip yesterday, he said: “We will deepen the attack on Hamas in Gaza City, a stronghold of governmental and military terror for the terrorist organisation.”

The siege on Gaza City is the first part of plans approved by Israel’s security cabinet to take full military control of Gaza and force the entire 2.3 million population south.

An official said tens of thousands of reservists will be called up in the next month, doubling the current number to 120,000. It remains unclear when the operation will begin.

Around 75 per cent of Gaza is already largely destroyed and controlled by Israel. A wider offensive would force more people to flee and further disrupt the delivery of humanitarian aid, as experts say the territory is at imminent risk of famine.

Israel’s plans have also sparked internal controversy, with families of the remaining hostages fearing another military escalation could doom their loved ones, while former senior security officials say there is little to be gained militarily.