Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Tens of thousands of Israeli army reservists began reporting for duty on Tuesday as the military prepares for a large-scale offensive in Gaza, deepening internal divisions within Israel’s leadership over the timing and consequences of the planned operation.
The mobilization comes amid a protracted hostage crisis, a collapsed ceasefire negotiation process, and growing domestic discontent over the war’s direction now nearly a year since Israel launched its assault on the Gaza Strip in response to the Hamas-led attacks of October 2023.
According to Israeli Army Radio, approximately 40,000 reservists were called up on Tuesday to reinforce troops ahead of what is expected to be a renewed push into Gaza City. The military has reportedly begun logistical preparations to accommodate the surge, including housing, provisioning, and strategic planning.
Netanyahu Pushes for Expansion Despite Military Warnings
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly pushing to accelerate the pace of the offensive, despite warnings from senior defense officials, including IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal zamir and other top military commanders. According to Israeli media reports, tensions have escalated between Netanyahu and military leadership, who are concerned about the strategic risks of a deeper incursion into Gaza without a clear plan for the hostages or the post-conflict governance of the territory.
During a late-night meeting of Israel’s security cabinet on Sunday, sharp disagreements emerged between Netanyahu and top military commanders. According to officials present, IDF leaders raised serious concerns about the risks a new offensive poses to the remaining hostages held by Hamas, the physical and psychological strain on Israeli forces, and the lack of a clear exit strategy.
Zamir is said to have reiterated the need for a negotiated ceasefire to avoid worsening the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and further eroding Israel’s global standing. “The military cannot carry this indefinitely,” one official quoted him as saying during the tense session.
These divisions follow earlier friction in August, when military planners urged the government to delay any new ground operation by at least two months to allow for humanitarian coordination and operational readiness.
Discontent Among Reservists and Public
The mobilization is also being met with skepticism within the ranks. Recent public opinion polls show growing dissatisfaction among reservists and their families, many of whom question the strategic objectives of the war and criticize the Netanyahu government for lacking a coherent post-war vision for Gaza.
One reservist, who has been on active duty since October, said that the campaign has so far failed to put meaningful pressure on Hamas to release the remaining hostages. “We’re here. We’re committed. But it doesn’t feel like this is bringing us closer to any resolution military or diplomatic,” he said.
Critics within Israel have increasingly voiced concern that the government’s focus on military escalation risks prolonging the conflict indefinitely, without addressing key political and humanitarian considerations.
Continued Airstrikes and Civilian Casualties
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes continued across Gaza on Tuesday, with health authorities in the enclave reporting at least 25 fatalities in a single day. Sixteen people were killed in Gaza City alone, with dozens more wounded in strikes that targeted residential areas, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.
Israel maintains that its military operations are aimed at dismantling Hamas infrastructure and neutralizing threats to its national security. However, humanitarian organizations and international observers warn that the high civilian death toll and destruction of essential infrastructure are contributing to a worsening humanitarian disaster.
As of now, Israeli forces control roughly 75% of the Gaza Strip, including key corridors and population centers. But full control of Gaza City long a Hamas stronghold remains elusive and would require significant new operations, likely leading to higher casualties on both sides.
Stalled Diplomacy and Regional Implications
Ceasefire negotiations mediated by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States have remained stalled since July, with neither side showing flexibility on core demands. Hamas insists on a full withdrawal of Israeli forces and guarantees for Palestinian political inclusion, while Israel demands the release of all hostages and security assurances that Hamas will no longer pose a threat.
International pressure is mounting for a diplomatic resolution, particularly as civilian casualties climb and regional tensions threaten to widen the conflict. Some analysts suggest that without a clear political horizon, any military gains in Gaza could be short-lived and destabilizing.
For now, the Israeli government appears determined to press ahead, with thousands of reservists deployed, airstrikes intensifying, and political fault lines widening not only with its adversaries but within its own leadership.
