Security officials say there has been no significant progress in negotiations for the release of hostages, prompting the IDF to ramp up preparations for a potential full-scale operation to take control of Gaza and intensify efforts to dismantle Hamas.
Defense Minister Israel Katz has been holding a series of high-level meetings with the IDF Chief of Staff and senior military leadership to finalize operational plans. Katz is expected to present the plan to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later this week.
A key issue under discussion within the defense establishment is the timeline and logistics for evacuating the civilian population of Gaza, which numbers approximately one million. Military estimates suggest that evacuation efforts could take anywhere from several weeks to two months. Only after this process would ground forces enter Gaza in force. The overall duration of the planned operation, from entry to completion, is estimated at around four months.
On Tuesday, the Chief of Staff briefed the Defense Minister on the need to call up an additional 60,000 reservists to support the operation. This would bring the total number of reservists mobilized to 130,000, including the 70,000 already on duty. The new call-up orders are expected to be issued for early September. However, military officials are concerned that turnout may be lower than in previous rounds due to signs of fatigue among reservists.
Once the operation begins, military planners believe control over Gaza could be established within two months. However, they anticipate that reservists will need to remain in the area longer to complete clearance operations targeting remaining pockets of Hamas forces and hidden weapons stockpiles.