About 130,000 reservists and five regular divisions are expected to take part in the operation, which will unfold in stages and extend into 2026.
By Pesach Benson, TPS
The Israeli military began mobilizing thousands of reservists on Tuesday for an offensive into Gaza City, the last major Hamas stronghold in the Gaza Strip.
The call-up orders follow days of logistical and operational preparations as the Israel Defense Forces prepares to widen its campaign against the terror group.
The IDF said reservists arriving at bases will receive weapons, tactical equipment, and refresher training in both urban and open terrain.
The army has also set up temporary housing with air conditioning, showers, and electricity to support the expanded force.
Maintenance crews in the Southern Command continue repairing armored vehicles at the front “under fire,” according to the military.
“The IDF cherishes the reservists, expresses appreciation for their contribution to the security of the country, and will continue to work to ensure appropriate service conditions and optimal load distribution,” the army said.
Officials added that support programs are being expanded for soldiers and their families.
About 130,000 reservists and five regular divisions are expected to take part in the operation, which will unfold in stages and extend into 2026.
Two divisions already maneuvering in the Strip have begun encircling Gaza City, while additional brigades are gathering in staging areas nearby.
In August, the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee authorized the army to summon up to 430,000 soldiers.
The IDF said call-up orders would be staggered, with 40,000 to 50,000 reservists reporting September 2, followed by additional waves in late 2025 and early 2026.
Not all the reservists will be sent into Gaza; many will replace standing troops on other fronts.
Reservists have faced repeated call-ups since Hamas’s October 7 attack. Emergency orders allowing the army to summon large numbers of civilians on short notice have been renewed every few months.
In peacetime, such mobilizations are tightly limited, and soldiers must be given advance notice and shorter service terms.
Approximately 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 48 remaining hostages, around 20 are believed to be alive.
