Tens of thousands of IDF reservists are expected to be recruited by the military for the planned takeover of Gaza City, according to several reports on Wednesday morning.
Defense Minister Israel Katz approved the plan to conquer the city on Wednesday morning, and it will be presented to the political echelon and the security cabinet on Thursday. Katz called the upcoming operation "Gideon's Chariots II."
Five IDF divisions and 12 brigade combat teams will participate in the operation. Three reservist brigades will also be mobilized for the takeover, KAN News, Israel's public broadcaster, reported.
Different amounts of reservist recruits being reported
The IDF stated that 60,000 reserve soldiers will be recruited in early September, with 20,000 reservists already on duty being notified that their reserve service period has been extended due to the operation. KAN also reported that the service of regular soldiers will be extended by 30 to 40 days.
However, Reuters previously reported, citing an IDF official, that only 50,000 IDF reservists will be called up for the Gaza City takeover, with call-up letters to be sent in the coming days.
"Most of the troops that will be mobilized in this new stage will be active duty and not reservists," said the official, who spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity.
The reservists who are called up could be in the air force, intelligence, supporting roles, or replace active duty soldiers stationed outside Gaza, the official said.
The IDF will reportedly reach 130,000 reservists at a given moment on active duty, according to Army Radio, adding that the military is preparing for a prolonged operation that would last several months into 2026.
KAN also cited IDF sources saying that two of the five brigades of Hamas's military wing remain.
Preparations to evacuate civilians from Gaza City to the south of the Strip were also approved to isolate Hamas terrorists.