Netanyahu pushes forward with a military campaign as Hamas warns of a humanitarian disaster and failed mediation efforts.
Israel has called up 60,000 reservists to prepare for a full-scale offensive on Gaza City, escalating a conflict already marked by failed ceasefire talks and worsening humanitarian conditions.
Massive Call-Up of Troops
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed on August 20, 2025, that around 60,000 reservists will be deployed from September for the planned capture of Gaza City. An additional 20,000 reservists already on duty will have their service extended. Israeli forces are currently operating in the Zeitoun and Jabalia districts as part of preparatory maneuvers.
Objectives of the Operation
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the goal is to secure the release of Israeli hostages and dismantle Hamas’s last stronghold in Gaza. “Once this operation is completed, Gaza will be changed and will no longer look the same,” Katz said, underscoring Israel’s intention to permanently alter the territory’s political and security landscape.
Hamas Rejects Moves, Mediation Collapses
Hamas condemned the mobilisation as proof of Israel’s disregard for mediation efforts. A recent ceasefire proposal included a 60-day halt to fighting, the gradual release of hostages, prisoner exchanges, and humanitarian access. Hamas accepted the plan, but Israel dismissed it, with Netanyahu insisting on the unconditional release of all hostages. Critics argue this rejection has derailed the possibility of a diplomatic breakthrough.
Humanitarian Situation Worsens
Reports from Gaza paint a dire picture. Al Jazeera journalist Tareq Abu Azzoum described nights filled with constant drone and jet strikes, demolishing homes and displacing thousands. Local official Mustafa Qazzaat labelled the situation a “catastrophe,” while residents such as Anis Daloul, 64, reported entire neighbourhoods in Zeitoun destroyed. Hamas officials warned that conditions in Sabra and Zeitoun were “unbearable.”
International Reactions
French President Emmanuel Macron strongly criticised Israel’s planned offensive, warning it would lead to a “permanent war” in the region and a “total disaster for both peoples.” Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority condemned Israel’s simultaneous approval of new settlement projects in the West Bank, saying it further undermines hopes for a future Palestinian state.
Ongoing Hostage Crisis
The conflict traces back to Hamas’s October 2023 attacks, which left 251 people taken hostage. Israeli military figures state that 49 hostages remain in Gaza, including 27 believed dead. While Qatar has facilitated negotiations, claiming the latest proposals were nearly identical to earlier versions accepted by Israel, Netanyahu has remained firm: only a deal ensuring the release of all hostages at once will be considered.
Israel’s mobilisation of 60,000 reservists signals a decisive military phase aimed at crushing Hamas’s last foothold in Gaza. Yet with humanitarian conditions deteriorating, international warnings intensifying, and ceasefire proposals repeatedly collapsing, the operation risks deepening instability in Gaza and further destabilising the broader Middle East.
Sources: Tirto.id (2025) , Kompas (2025)
Keywords: Israel Reservists, Gaza City Offensive, Hamas Ceasefire, Netanyahu Military Plan, Humanitarian Disaster, Middle East Conflict
