Hebrew Reports: The Israeli Army is Mobilizing 60,000 Reserve Soldiers in Preparation for the Gaza Battle

The Hebrew newspaper Maariv reported today, Monday, that the Israeli army has begun preparations to mobilize around 60,000 reserve soldiers in anticipation of a large military operation aimed at surrounding and occupying the city of Gaza.

The newspaper indicated that the soldiers will undergo an organization and training phase lasting between three to four days, during which some reserve units will replace regular forces in combat and defensive tasks in the north, while other brigades will head to participate in operations within the sector or to reinforce deployment in the West Bank.

According to estimates, regular brigades are being transferred to gathering areas around Gaza, while divisions 99 and 162 have already begun operations to encircle the city; Division 162 is advancing from the north, while Division 99 is taking control of the neighborhoods of Al-Zeitoun and Al-Sabra.

In addition, the army plans to open a humanitarian corridor southwest of the city to evacuate residents to safe areas in Mawasi and southern Gaza, before moving to a broader phase of operations that includes land clearing.

Despite the escalation, new instructions have been issued to minimize risks to prisoners, the most notable of which is to refrain from carrying out any attack without confirming the absence of them in the targeted area, in addition to imposing strict restrictions on the use of artillery.

The army confirms that fighting inside the city of Gaza will be one of the toughest challenges, given its high population density and urban nature filled with high-rise buildings.