Israel has called up 60,000 reserve soldiers to capture Gaza City.

Darwin, August 21 — Israel has announced plans to call up 60,000 reserve soldiers in the coming weeks to advance its plan to capture Gaza City. Meanwhile, efforts to secure a ceasefire continue through mediation by Qatar and Egypt. This move comes at a time when the nearly 22-month-long war has pushed Gaza’s humanitarian situation to a dire level.

On Wednesday, the Israeli military announced that Defense Minister Yoav Katz has approved a new operation in densely populated areas. As part of this, 60,000 reserve troops will be mobilized, and the service period of an additional 20,000 soldiers will be extended.

Human rights organizations have warned that this move could deepen the humanitarian disaster in Gaza. Most residents have already been repeatedly displaced, countless homes have turned to rubble, and fears of famine have intensified.

An Israeli military official said the new phase of the war will be a “gradual, precise, and targeted operation,” focusing on Gaza City and surrounding areas. Operations have already begun in Zeitoun and Jabalia, he added.

Al Jazeera journalist Tarek Abu Azzum reported that Gaza’s residents fear the worst. He said this operation could push hundreds of thousands of people into the so-called “concentration zone” in southern Gaza. According to him, “Last night was completely sleepless. Israeli drones and warplanes filled the sky, destroying homes and temporary camps.”

He also reported that in southern Gaza’s Al-Mawasi area, a father lost his children in a nighttime attack. The family was sleeping in a tent when an Israeli missile struck, killing the children.

Medical sources reported that at least 35 Palestinians were killed on Wednesday, including 10 who were seeking humanitarian aid.

The announcement of the new operation comes as ceasefire efforts continue, led by Qatar and Egypt with support from the United States. The latest proposal calls for a 60-day ceasefire, phased release and exchange of hostages and Palestinian prisoners, and increased humanitarian aid.

Qatar stated that the proposal closely resembles the version previously accepted by Israel.

Egypt said, “The ball is now in Israel’s court.”

However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not made any public comments yet. Last week, he stated that if a deal is made, all hostages must be released at once and the war must end on Israel’s terms.

Meanwhile, Hamas senior official Mahmoud Mardawi said they remain open to a deal but questions remain whether Netanyahu will break it again, as he has done in the past.

International criticism of Israel’s conduct of the war is growing, and domestic pressure on Netanyahu is also intensifying.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 62,064 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli attacks since October 7, 2023. Most of the casualties are civilians. The United Nations has deemed these figures credible.