Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has approved the military’s plan to seize Gaza City and authorised the mobilisation of about 60,000 reservists, the defence ministry confirmed on Wednesday.
When contacted by AFP, a spokesperson for the ministry confirmed media reports that Katz had signed off on the plan.
The decision comes as pressure mounts on Hamas, with international mediators awaiting Israel’s official response to a new ceasefire proposal aimed at ending the nearly two-year war in Gaza. Qatar, one of the mediators, has voiced cautious optimism, though Israeli officials insist that any agreement must include the release of all hostages.
A senior military official told reporters on Wednesday that about 50,000 reservists would be drafted beginning in September. He explained that active-duty troops would spearhead the next stage of the offensive, focusing operations on Gaza City.
The official added that Israeli forces were already engaged in the Zeitoun and Jabalia neighbourhoods of Gaza City as part of the early phases of the campaign.
