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World News
22 August 2025

Israel Mobilizes Reservists For Gaza City Offensive

As Israel prepares a ground assault on Gaza City and calls up tens of thousands of reservists, humanitarian groups warn of worsening conditions for displaced civilians.

Israel is ramping up its military campaign in Gaza City, taking a decisive step by calling up 60,000 reservists and extending the service of 20,000 more. This move, announced on August 21, 2025, signals a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict with Hamas, as the Israeli military prepares for what it describes as the next phase of its war: a ground takeover of Gaza City itself.

According to reports from Reuters and other international outlets, this mobilization is one of the largest since the beginning of the conflict. The Israeli army, facing stiff resistance from Hamas fighters entrenched in urban areas, has decided that a massive influx of reservists is necessary to mount a successful offensive. The plan is clear: Israeli troops will march into Gaza City, aiming to dismantle Hamas's infrastructure and leadership. The stakes, however, are higher than ever—not just for the combatants, but for the more than two million Palestinian civilians caught in the crossfire.

On August 17, 2025, just days before the announcement, scenes of desperation played out in Gaza City. Palestinians displaced by the relentless Israeli offensive sought shelter in sprawling tent camps, their lives upended by the violence. As the Israeli military prepared to relocate residents to the southern part of Gaza, humanitarian agencies sounded the alarm. The United Nations and several human rights organizations warned that the impending offensive could trigger a catastrophe, with mass civilian casualties and the destruction of infrastructure vital to the survival of Gaza’s population.

Jonathan Conricus, a former spokesperson for the Israeli Defence Forces and now a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defence of Democracies, weighed in on the situation. Speaking to the media on August 21, he emphasized the Israeli government’s rationale for the escalation. According to Conricus, the mobilization of reservists and the planned ground operation are intended to neutralize Hamas’s military capabilities and restore security to Israeli citizens. "The objective is clear: to dismantle Hamas’s operational infrastructure in Gaza City and ensure that such threats do not emanate from the territory again," he explained.

But with each new phase of the conflict, the humanitarian cost has continued to mount. The United Nations has repeatedly warned that Gaza’s civilian infrastructure—already battered by months of fighting—faces imminent collapse. Water, electricity, and medical supplies are running dangerously low. The prospect of a full-scale ground assault on Gaza City, home to hundreds of thousands of civilians, has prompted fears of widespread devastation. Human rights groups have been unequivocal in their assessment: the offensive risks causing mass killings of civilians and the destruction of what little remains of Gaza’s vital infrastructure.

“This next phase could be catastrophic for civilians,” a spokesperson for a leading international human rights organization told Reuters. “We are deeply concerned that the intensification of military operations in such a densely populated area will result in large-scale loss of life and further displacement.”

Israel’s military command, for its part, maintains that every effort is being made to minimize civilian casualties. According to statements provided to the press, the army has issued warnings and evacuation orders to residents in targeted areas, urging them to move south to safer zones. Yet, as many aid groups have pointed out, the options for safe refuge are vanishingly few. With borders closed and humanitarian corridors frequently disrupted by fighting, tens of thousands of Palestinians have been forced into makeshift camps, where conditions are dire and resources scarce.

The international community has responded with a mix of condemnation and calls for restraint. The United Nations Security Council convened an emergency session to discuss the escalating crisis, with several member states urging Israel to halt its offensive and prioritize the protection of civilians. Others, while acknowledging Israel’s right to defend itself against Hamas attacks, have pressed for a negotiated ceasefire to prevent further humanitarian suffering.

On the ground, however, the reality is grim. Gaza City, once the bustling economic and cultural heart of the territory, has been transformed into a battlefield. The sound of artillery and airstrikes has become a daily occurrence, and the city’s skyline is now punctuated by plumes of smoke. For the residents who remain, survival is a constant struggle. Hospitals, overwhelmed by casualties and short on supplies, are operating under extreme duress. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has described the situation as “unprecedented,” with its staff working around the clock to provide basic services to the displaced population.

Amid the chaos, political leaders on all sides face mounting pressure. In Israel, the government’s decision to call up such a large number of reservists reflects both the seriousness of the military challenge and the political imperative to demonstrate resolve. Prime Ministerial statements have emphasized the need to “finish the job” in Gaza, framing the offensive as a necessary step to ensure long-term security. Yet, as the conflict drags on, public debate within Israel has become more polarized, with some questioning the wisdom of a prolonged ground campaign and its potential to inflame regional tensions.

In Gaza, Hamas has vowed to resist the Israeli advance, promising to turn the urban landscape into a “fortress” and warning of heavy casualties among Israeli troops. The group’s leadership, speaking through underground channels, has called on the international community to intervene and halt what it describes as a “war of annihilation” against the Palestinian people.

For ordinary Palestinians, however, politics and military strategy offer little comfort. As one displaced resident told Reuters from a tent camp on the outskirts of Gaza City, “We just want to live. Every day we wake up not knowing if we will see tomorrow.”

As the Israeli army prepares to march into Gaza City, the world watches anxiously. The outcome of this next phase remains uncertain, but one thing is clear: the human cost of the conflict continues to rise, with no end in sight for the people of Gaza.