Gaza City occupation plan set to extend into 2026 with up to 130K reservists
The Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) on Wednesday released details of a planned large-scale ground operation aimed at taking over Gaza City, according to Ynet.
The offensive, directed by Southern Command, will involve up to 130,000 reservists and five standing divisions, with the phased operation expected to continue into 2026.
Read more: 'Israel' defence minister approves plan to conquer Gaza City
According to Ynet, the IOF emphasized that the safety of captives will be maintained throughout the operation, and troop rotations will be implemented. Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir requested that mobilization begin in September to allow reservists to spend the summer with their families and be present at the start of the school year.
Reservist call-ups will occur in three waves, September, November, and next March, while roughly 40,000 reservists have already received orders. At its peak, the operation will include 12 brigade-sized combat teams supported by the two regional brigades of the Gaza Division.
The army noted that about half of the mobilized reservists will serve in command, intelligence, air force, and navy roles rather than in direct combat. Field hospitals and infrastructure will be set up in central Gaza to support civilian evacuation in coordination with international organizations.
Defense Minister Israel Katz approved the plan following a briefing with Zamir. The operation aims to seize Gaza City, free captives, dismantle Hamas’s weapons, deport senior members, demilitarize Gaza, and secure civilian areas while preserving the IOF’s operational freedom.
Katz stated that Gaza will “look different and will not resemble its former state” once the operation is complete.
The IOF stressed that the plan is phased, dynamic, and flexible, allowing adjustments in the event of a captive deal. Unlike last year’s deployment, regular troops will have rotation breaks to reduce long continuous deployments inside Gaza.
Regarding Hamas, the army said only two brigades remain, one in Gaza City and one in central towns, and that strategic tunnels in Gaza City remain operational targets.
Addressing speculation about his service, Zamir said he has no intention of resigning, emphasizing his responsibility for soldiers and mission execution.
The operation has been dubbed Gideon’s Chariots II, following the original Gideon’s Chariots campaign, which failed to achieve its full objectives despite the IOF controlling 75 percent of Gaza and creating conditions for a potential captives deal.
