The Israeli army has announced that it will call up up to 60,000 reservists ahead of a planned attack on Gaza City, with all those called up to begin service in September, the BBC reports.
Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians are expected to be ordered to evacuate and move to shelters in southern Gaza. Many of Israel’s allies have condemned the attack plan, while the UN and non-governmental aid organizations have said that another attack and another mass displacement of residents would have a dire impact on the humanitarian situation in the area, where hostilities have been ongoing for 22 months.
The Israeli government announced its plan to occupy the entire Gaza Strip after indirect talks with the Hamas terrorist group on a ceasefire and the release of hostages failed in July. Mediators from surrounding countries are trying to reach an agreement before a new offensive begins, and a 60-day ceasefire and partial release of hostages are being offered. Hamas has reportedly accepted the offer. Israel has not yet given an official response, but Israeli officials insisted on the 19th of August that they would not accept any more partial agreements and demanded the release of all hostages. Only 20 hostages are believed to still be alive.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had called up 60,000 reservists on the 20th of August. In addition, 20,000 reservists already called up will be ordered to continue their service.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said
the army’s main goals are to secure the return of all hostages, both dead and alive, to Israel,
as well as to completely defeat the Palestinian militant group.
In a joint statement, UN agencies and NGOs said: that Israel’s plan to intensify military operations in Gaza City will have a devastating impact on people who are already exhausted, hungry, grieving, homeless and whose basic survival needs are not being met. Forcing hundreds of thousands to move further south is creating the conditions for a catastrophe and could amount to forced displacement.
The statement also said that the areas to which Palestinians are being forced to go are already overcrowded, and hospitals are stretched beyond capacity and will not be able to care for the additional patients.
The majority of Gaza’s population has already been displaced several times, and more than 90% of buildings have been damaged or destroyed. The health system, water supply and sanitation are non-existent, and UN-backed food experts have warned that famine is now imminent due to food shortages.
Read also: Israeli envoy: Europe will lose if it punishes Israel for Gaza