5 hours ago
Last Updated:August 20, 2025, 18:53 IST
Israel Katz approved the plan designed by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) for the Gaza offensive and called up over 60,000 Israeli reservists to join the mission.
Israeli soldiers walk out from a tunnel underneath the European Hospital in Khan Younis at the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing ground operation of the Israeli army against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. (IMAGE: REUTERS)
Israel’s Defence Minister Israel Katz has approved plans for a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza City, with the army set to issue call-up orders for 60,000 reservists starting Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said, according to a report by the Times of Israel.
Katz’s approval of plans to conquer Gaza City came days after Hamas said it had accepted the latest proposal from mediators for a ceasefire to halt almost two years of devastating war.
A report by Haaretz said that the fighting is expected to continue into 2026, citing officials from the IDF.
IDF officials told Haaretz that around 130,000 reservists will be called up for the Gaza City operation, while the reserve duty of soldiers already serving will be extended by about a month. Recruitment of some 60,000 reservists began on Wednesday, with two further waves planned for November and early 2026, the officials said.
“Once the operation is completed, Gaza will change its face and will no longer look as it did in the past," Katz was quoted as saying by the Israeli newspaper.
French President Emmanuel Macron said that Israel’s “military offensive" to conquer Gaza City “can only lead to a complete disaster for both peoples," after Israel’s defence minister authorised the call-up of around 60,000 reservists.
Israel’s plan “will drag the region into a permanent war," the French president posted on social media.
The plan is named “Gideon’s Chariots II" and Katz assured that he approved a plan to “accommodate" Gaza City residents who are expected to be transferred to the southern Gaza Strip at the start of the offensive.
The Red Cross Committee warned against the plan in a statement released on the same day. "
“The civilian population in Gaza is living in abhorrent conditions," the committee said. “With more than 80 percent of Gaza already impacted by evacuation orders, it is unimaginable that civilians could be compelled to move to an even smaller area. Additionally, a large-scale evacuation would create additional risks for civilians, given the prevailing conditions on the ground."
“ humanitarian law protects all civilians, whether they leave or stay," it added.
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev...Read More
Shankhyaneel Sarkar is a senior subeditor at News18. He covers international affairs, where he focuses on breaking news to in-depth analyses. He has over five years of experience during which he has covered sev...
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Location :Tel Aviv, Israel
First Published:August 20, 2025, 18:44 IST
News world Israel Defence Minister Calls Up 60,000 Reservists, Approves Plans To 'Conquer' Gaza City
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