Israel Authorizes the Recruitment of 60,000 Reservists for Gaza Operations

In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, several significant events have unfolded in recent days.

Israel's Defense Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has approved the mobilization of 60,000 reservists for the takeover of the city of Gaza. This move comes after a large-scale attack by more than 15 heavily armed Palestinians on an Israeli military post in the city of Khan Yunis, using anti-tank missiles. The military wing of Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack in the south of the Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, the civilian population in Gaza, estimated to be around one million people, are facing potential displacement as they are to move to tent camps further south in the coastal strip. This situation is already catastrophic, with around two million Palestinians living in the blockaded Gaza Strip, and according to figures from the Hamas-controlled health authority, more than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza war since almost two years ago.

In a bid to de-escalate the situation, the latest ceasefire proposal provides for a 60-day ceasefire during which ten living hostages are to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. This updated version of the previously negotiated proposal by US special envoy Steve Witkoff is currently under consideration.

Internationally, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Malta have announced their intention to recognize a Palestinian state next month at the UN General Assembly. Germany has stated it will not join this initiative. However, Israel rejects recognition as a "reward for Hamas" after the massacre on October 7, 2023, in which around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 others were abducted to the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli planning committee has also approved building plans for settlements in the E1 area between East Jerusalem and the settlement of Ma'ale Adumim, which will result in the construction of around 3,400 housing units. This decision, considered particularly sensitive due to its geographical location, has been criticized by Federal Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, who stated that such projects are contrary to international law and would make a two-state solution impossible.

Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced corresponding settlement plans, stating that this step finally buries the idea of a Palestinian state. However, both Israel's Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Islamic Hamas in the Gaza Strip both reject a two-state solution.

It is speculated that the Security Cabinet's decision to escalate the war could be a negotiating tactic to pressure Hamas to return to the negotiating table and show more flexibility. The future of the conflict remains uncertain, with tensions running high on both sides.