Israel Mobilizes Reservists as Gaza Offensive Expands

Israel has begun calling up tens of thousands of reservists to support a widening military offensive in Gaza City, a move that has provoked strong domestic debate and renewed condemnation from the international community.

The mobilization, announced in late August, officially began on Tuesday and will see 60,000 reservists gradually recalled to service, alongside an extension of duty for 20,000 already deployed. The expanded force is aimed at reinforcing ongoing ground and air operations in northern and central Gaza, particularly in the neighborhoods of Zeitoun and Shijaiyah.

Intensified Fighting in Gaza City

Both Zeitoun and Shijaiyah, once bustling urban centers filled with schools, markets, and clinics, have been transformed into combat zones after months of Israeli raids. Zeitoun, Gaza City’s largest neighborhood before the war, now lies in ruins, with its residents forced to flee amid constant bombardment. Israel’s military last week declared the area a “dangerous combat zone,” underscoring the intensity of the fighting.

Gaza City remains Hamas’ primary political and military hub. According to Israeli officials, the city still contains parts of the group’s vast tunnel network, despite repeated incursions aimed at destroying it. For civilians, however, the city has become one of the last major refuges in northern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands remain trapped between active fighting and worsening famine.

Mounting Humanitarian Toll

The humanitarian crisis continues to deepen. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, the world’s leading authority on famine assessment, declared last month that Gaza City was experiencing famine conditions. Since then, Gaza’s Health Ministry has reported an alarming rise in malnutrition-related deaths, with 185 people dying in August alone—the highest monthly figure in recent memory.

Overall, the ministry says 63,557 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, with another 160,660 wounded. Roughly half of those killed, according to its figures, are women and children. While the ministry is run by Hamas, it is staffed by medical professionals, and United Nations agencies as well as independent monitors generally consider its numbers the most reliable available. Israel disputes the casualty figures but has not released its own independent tally.

Origins of the War

The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants launched a surprise assault on southern Israel, killing 1,200 people—mostly civilians—and kidnapping 251 others. Many hostages were later freed during temporary ceasefires or prisoner exchanges, but Israel estimates that 48 remain in Gaza, around 20 of whom are believed to be alive.

As Israel escalates its military campaign, balancing the goal of dismantling Hamas with mounting humanitarian costs has become a central point of contention at home and abroad. The mobilization of additional reservists signals that the war, now in its 23rd month, shows little sign of winding down.