Massive Mobilization of Israeli Reservists as Offensive on Gaza City Intensifies

Wed Oct 22 2025 01:43:52 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a significant escalation of its military actions, Israel has mobilized thousands of reservists for its offensive in Gaza City, leading to heavy casualties and increased humanitarian concerns.

Thousands of Israeli reservists have reported for duty as the military intensifies its offensive in Gaza City, a stronghold of Hamas. The escalation has resulted in heavy aerial bombardment and significant civilian casualties, sparking concerns from humanitarian organizations about the dire impact on the population. The Israeli military's objective is to achieve a decisive victory while the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate.

Thousands of reservists have begun reporting for duty as the Israeli military presses ahead with its offensive to conquer Gaza City.

Ground forces are already pushing into the outskirts of Gaza's largest urban area, which the military has said is a stronghold of Hamas.

The city is also coming under heavy Israeli aerial and artillery bombardment, with local hospitals saying that more than 50 Palestinians have been killed there since midnight.

The military has ordered residents to evacuate and head south immediately. The UN says an estimated 20,000 have done so over the past two weeks, but almost a million remain.

UN humanitarian officials have warned that the impact of a full-blown offensive would be 'beyond catastrophic', not only for those in the city but for the entire Gaza Strip.

Last month, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that about 60,000 reservists would be called up ahead of 'Operation Gideon's Chariots II,' which launched in May and has seen it take control of at least 75% of Gaza.

Israeli media reported that many reservists would be deployed to the occupied West Bank and northern Israel to free up active-duty personnel for the offensive. Some combat units have seen lower turnout compared to previous call-ups, with reservists requesting exemptions for personal reasons.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel's intention to conquer all of Gaza following a breakdown in ceasefire talks with Hamas in July. The military objective, as stated by the security cabinet, is to defeat Hamas and release all hostages.

The armed group is currently holding 48 hostages, with 20 believed to be alive.

The families of the hostages are expressing fears that the current military actions will put their loved ones in greater danger, urging for a negotiated agreement with Hamas for their release.

The IDF’s Chief of Staff has been advocating for a 60-day truce that would see half of the hostages released. However, Netanyahu has stated that a comprehensive deal is necessary for hostages' freedom and Hamas's disarmament.

As the week progresses, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza worsens. Hospital officials have reported a staggering death toll, with strikes having killed at least 95 Palestinians on Tuesday alone, including many children and the elderly due to malnutrition and lack of medical support.

The UN has deemed the ongoing situation in Gaza as a 'man-made disaster' and stated that Israel holds obligations under international law to ensure food and medical supplies reach the population, to which Israel has contested its claims of restriction.

The conflict has escalated since a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in 1,200 fatalities and numerous hostages being taken. The Palestinian health ministry estimates that over 63,000 people have been killed in Gaza since the conflict's escalation.