Israel has called up 60,000 reservists to report for duty, the military said Wednesday. Another 20,000 reservists will have their service extended under what officials call the next phase of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, the codename given to Israel’s plan to expand its military offensive in the Gaza Strip.
World leaders have sharply criticized the new war plan, with Germany halting all of its arms sales to Israel.
Large-scale protests have taken place in Israel, calling for an end to the Israel-Hamas war and a deal to facilitate the release of the remaining hostages held in the territory.
The Hostages and Missing Families Forum, which organized the “Israel on Hold” protests, said that over a million people took part in the demonstrations across the country on Sunday. Per the organization, almost 500,000 protesters gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostage Square.
Read More: Germany Suspends Gaza-Linked Arms Sales to Israel Over Netanyahu’s Plan to Occupy the Strip
The Israel-Hamas war started after Hamas launched a terror attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing over 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages. Of the estimated 250 hostages, 140 have been released during negotiations, eight have been rescued, and the bodies of 57 who died in captivity or during rescue attempts have been recovered. It’s thought that 20 living hostages are still being held by Hamas and other militants. Over 62,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
In the absence of independent monitoring on the ground, the ministry is the primary source for casualty data relied upon by humanitarian groups, journalists, and international bodies. Its figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants and cannot be independently verified by TIME.
In a military briefing shared with TIME on Wednesday, an IDF (Israel Defense Forces) official said the newly-called reserves are set to be drafted in September and the next phase of the operation into Gaza City will be presented to the “political echelon” for approval. “In the coming weeks, we’ll see the IDF begin a gradual operation in and around Gaza City,” said a military official.
Israel’s security cabinet approved new plans, put forward by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, to expand military operations in Gaza on Aug. 8. The expansion of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, the renewed Israeli offensive in Gaza which began in May, could come to fruition with the occupation of the entire territory.
The IDF has already advanced some military operations surrounding Gaza City. “The civilian population in the combat zone has been warned and requested to move south for their safety and to minimize the likelihood of harm to uninvolved individuals,” said IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee.
Read More: Mother of Israeli Hostage Says Occupation of Gaza Would be ‘Death Sentence’ for Her Son and Others
Israel’s action regarding the calling of reserves comes as international groups voice concerns over the deteriorating humanitarian conditions and malnutrition crisis in Gaza.
The International Committee for the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned that an expansion in military operations could risk an “already catastrophic” situation.
“With more than 80% of Gaza already impacted by evacuation orders, it is unimaginable that civilians could be compelled to move to an even smaller area… After months of relentless hostilities and repeated displacement, the people in Gaza are utterly exhausted,” said the ICRC in a statement on Wednesday.
The United Nations maintains that any plans to expand operations in Gaza “will have a horrific humanitarian impact on people already exhausted, malnourished, bereaved, displaced, and deprived of basics needed for survival.”
The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, which oversees the Holy Family parish in Gaza, said it is “closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation in Gaza City, particularly in light of recent decisions and the ongoing mobilization towards an imminent invasion.”
In a statement shared with TIME, a spokesperson for the patriarchate said members of the Gaza church have reported that “the sound and impact of bombardments are drawing dangerously close to the parish compound itself.”
Read More: Israel Approves West Bank Settlement Project That Advocacy Groups Say ‘Guarantees More Bloodshed’
Meanwhile, advocacy groups have also spoken out to condemn Israel’s new West Bank settlement plans, which received final approval on Wednesday.
Pushed by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, the project, which had been on hold for decades due to global concerns, would isolate the territory by cutting off the West Bank from East Jerusalem.
Israeli advocacy group Peace Now has warned that the “government’s annexation moves” are “guaranteeing many more years of bloodshed.”
Smotrich, alongside fellow far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, was sanctioned by the U.K. and allies in May. He was accused of “inciting extremist violence and serious abuses of Palestinian human rights.”
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