Israel Calls Up Tens of Thousands of Reservists Ahead of Gaza Operation’s Next Phase

The move comes a day after Arab mediators said Hamas had agreed to cease-fire terms but that they were still waiting on an answer from Jerusalem.

Israeli soldiers pass by humanitarian aid packages on the Palestinian side of the Kerem Shalom crossing point in the Gaza Strip on July 24, 2025. Amir Levy /Getty Images

Israel has called up about 60,000 reservists ahead of an expansion of its operation in the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Aug. 20.

In a post on X, the IDF stated that the new reserve orders were issued on the morning of Aug. 20, while another 20,000 reservists had their service extended as part of the next phase of Operation Gideon’s Chariots.