Israel’s military is moving forward on plans to take over Gaza City, officials said Wednesday, even as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu weighs a Hamas cease-fire proposal that would anger hard-liners in his government but, potentially, ensure the safe release of some hostages.
Troops had reached the city’s outskirts and tents were being moved into southern Gaza for people who would be displaced from their homes once the operation begins, an Israeli military official who requested anonymity in line with military protocol said at a briefing for journalists.
On Wednesday, Defense Minister Israel Katz said separately that he had approved mobilizing more reservists and extending orders for others for the fighting in Gaza. “I instruct you to use all tools and all power to strike the enemy until it is subdued, and to protect I.D.F. soldiers,” Mr. Katz told Israeli troops, referring to the Israel Defense Forces, according to a statement from his ministry.
The new assault aims to prevent Hamas from regrouping and planning future attacks, the Israeli military official said at the briefing. That comes after nearly two years of Israel’s war against Hamas, which has largely leveled the Gaza Strip and brought parts of it to the brink of famine.
The official said that an additional 50,000 reservists — bringing the total to 120,000 — would be told to report for duty in September to backfill other soldiers who would be going into Gaza City. Reservists who are already on duty could see their missions extended, the official said.
The Israeli military said in a later statement that 60,000 new reservists would be called to duty and 20,000 reservists would have their orders extended.
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