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Israel recalls thousands of reserve soldiers to expand Gaza offensive

In a plan presented by Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, the IDF is poised to intensify pressure on Hamas to expand its offensive.

Israel Gaza, hamas, palestine, idf, ceasefire

Behind a tent camp for displaced Palestinians, smoke rises from a building after it was targeted by an Israeli army strike in Gaza City. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi, File)

Israel’s military announced on Saturday that it is mobilising thousands of reserve soldiers in a recall as it intends to expand its offensive in Gaza as talks aimed at securing a ceasefire with Hamas have remained stalled since the past two months.

In a plan presented by Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir on Friday, the IDF is poised to intensify pressure on Hamas to expand its offensive area in the Palestinian territory.

According to a CNN report, the IDF plan included evacuation of Palestinian civilians from northern and central Gaza ahead of its expansion plan in the region, which is a similar tactic used by the Israeli military during their offensive in southern Gaza’s Rafah.

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In an X post, Netanyahu accused Qatar of “playing both sides with its double talk” and demanded the gas-rich Gulf state take a stance, saying it must “decide if it’s on the side of civilization or if it’s on the side of Hamas barbarism.”

Under pressure from far-right allies crucial to his governing coalition, Netanyahu has ramped up calls to continue the war since the Gaza offensive resumed, asserting, “Israel will win this just war with just means.”

Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari condemned Netanyahu’s comments as “inflammatory” in a statement on X, saying they fell short of basic standards of political and moral responsibility.

Israel’s public broadcaster Kan 11, citing unnamed officials, reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu led cabinet is expected to approve the IDF plan on Sunday.

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The news of change in shift of Israel’s plan to expand its offensive rather than focusing on getting back the hostages has prompted concern among the family members of the hostages. There are at least 59 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.

Also Read | Witnesses and aid groups report looting in Gaza after two months of Israel’s blockade

In an “urgent and heartfelt” appeal by Hostages and Missing Families Forum Headquarters, it stated that “any escalation in the fighting will put the hostages — both the living and the deceased in immediate danger.”

More than 50,000 people have been killed in Gaza in the Israeli military’s campaign against Hamas. Tel Aviv’s retaliation came after Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel in October 2023 which destabilised the Middle East with bombardments.

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