"Israeli forces prepare for an offensive in Gaza City, aiming to push Hamas out of their hiding spots"

The Israeli military has commenced a significant operation in the Gaza Strip, with two divisions already maneuvering to encircle Gaza City. Approximately 130,000 reservists and five regular divisions are expected to take part in this operation, according to the latest reports.

The five regular divisions involved in the military operation include the Gaza Division and the 162nd Division, among others. The Gaza Division has taken command of southern Gaza near the Egyptian border since early October 2024, after the 162nd Division was relocated to Jabalia in northern Gaza. The Gaza Division assumed responsibility for Rafah area security from September 2024, and active combat operations are expected to continue through at least March 2025.

The operation will unfold in stages and is expected to extend into 2026. This offensive comes in response to Hamas's October 7 attack, which resulted in the death of approximately 1,200 people. Emergency orders allowing the Israeli military to summon large numbers of civilians on short notice have been renewed every few months since Hamas's attack.

Of the 48 remaining hostages from the October 7 attack, about 20 are believed to be alive. The Israeli military has made it clear that Hamas will have no place to hide, with the operation's top officer, Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, vowing to intensify and deepen the operation against Hamas.

Lt.-Gen. Zamir met with troops at the Nachshonim Base in central Israel, expressing his confidence in their ability to carry out the mission. The Knesset's Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee has authorized the army to summon up to 430,000 soldiers, but not all the reservists will be sent into Gaza; many will replace standing troops on other fronts.

Call-up orders for reservists will be staggered, with 40,000 to 50,000 reservists reporting on September 2, followed by additional waves in late 2024 and early 2026. In peacetime, such mobilizations are tightly limited, and soldiers must be given advance notice and shorter service terms. However, the repeated call-ups since Hamas's October 7 attack have necessitated this large-scale mobilization.

Additional brigades are gathering in staging areas nearby, ready to join the operation. The Israeli military has emphasized that this operation is a significant step towards ensuring the security and safety of its citizens and maintaining peace in the region.