The Israeli military has begun calling up tens of thousands of reservists as part of a renewed and expanded offensive in Gaza, marking a significant escalation in the nearly 19-month-long conflict. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) say the intensified operation aims to increase pressure on Hamas and secure the release of hostages still held in the enclave.
In a statement released Sunday, the IDF announced its plans to “operate in new areas” and “destroy all infrastructure” both above and below ground, vowing to dismantle Hamas’s military capabilities entirely. The move comes after the breakdown of a fragile ceasefire in mid-March and amid growing domestic and international criticism of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s handling of the war.
“The military is increasing the pressure to return our hostages and defeat Hamas,” the IDF said, even as critics point out that no hostages have been released since the fighting resumed nearly seven weeks ago.
According to Israeli media, the country’s security cabinet has approved the offensive’s expansion, although reports suggest that ground operations will not intensify until after former U.S. President Donald Trump’s scheduled visit to the region next week.
International efforts to broker a new ceasefire and secure the release of the remaining 59 hostages—24 of whom are believed to still be alive—have so far failed. The families of hostages have grown increasingly vocal, urging Netanyahu’s government to reach a deal rather than continue with military escalation.
“This is a needless war,” said the mother of one hostage during a protest in Tel Aviv on Saturday, part of a renewed wave of demonstrations across Israel. “We want our children back. No more politics. No more delay.”
Since the war resumed on March 18, Israel has seized large swathes of Gaza, displacing hundreds of thousands of Palestinians once again. Aid agencies warn that the continued blockade, now in its third month, has left Gaza’s population facing severe shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies.
“This is a deliberate policy of starvation that could amount to a war crime,” one humanitarian official said. Israel has denied the allegations, insisting that the blockade is a strategic effort to weaken Hamas.
The toll on Gaza continues to rise. As of Sunday morning, the Hamas-run health ministry reported 40 Palestinians killed and 125 injured in the previous 24 hours alone. Overall, the ministry says at least 52,535 people have died in Gaza since the war began on October 7, 2023, with 2,436 killed since the latest offensive began in March.
The war was triggered by a surprise cross-border attack by Hamas that left 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage. Since then, the Israeli military campaign has been relentless, but critics argue it has yet to yield a clear strategic victory—or a viable post-war plan.
Netanyahu, who has faced growing discontent at home, has been accused of prolonging the conflict for political gain. Though he denies sabotaging negotiations, he has yet to present a coherent “day-after” strategy for Gaza.
Reservists, many of whom have been deployed repeatedly over the course of the war, are showing signs of fatigue and frustration. Thousands have signed open letters demanding an end to the war and a renewed focus on securing a hostage deal.
Tensions are also escalating on other fronts. On Sunday, a missile fired from Yemen by Iran-backed Houthi rebels landed near the main terminal of Ben Gurion Airport. Netanyahu responded with a vow of retaliation. The Houthis, in turn, threatened an “aerial blockade” on Israel by continuing to target its airports.
Meanwhile, the IDF confirmed the deaths of two more Israeli soldiers in Gaza on Sunday, underscoring the ongoing human cost of the conflict on both sides.
As Israel prepares to escalate its military push, pressure is mounting from within and beyond its borders for a resolution that prioritizes both security and humanity—before more lives are lost.
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