Israel plans to expand Gaza offensive, recalls thousands of reserve soldiers amid stalled hostage talks | World News
Israel’s military announced on Saturday that it is mobilizing 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 Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir on Friday, the IDF is poised to intensify pressure on Palestinian militant group 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 the Israeli military during their offensive in southern Gaza’s Rafah.
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Israel’s public broadcaster Kan 11, citing unnamed officials, reported that Prime Miner Benjamin Netanyahu led cabinet is expected to approve the IDF plan on Sunday.
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 Hamas in Gaza.
In an “urgent and heartfelt” appeal 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.”
Till now, 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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