Israel calls up 60,000 reservists before Gaza invasion

The Israeli occupation army is preparing, starting today, to send about 60,000 call-up orders to reserve soldiers to occupy Gaza City.This comes after Israeli Defence Minister Yisrael Katz approved a military plan to occupy the city, titled "Gideon 2." The approval came after consultations held by Katz with senior Israeli military and security officials, based on a decision issued by the Security Cabinet, according to the Palestinian news agency (WAFA).The occupation army decided to advance the call-up of 60,000 reserve soldiers and extend the service of another 20,000 for an additional 40 days, WAFA said, adding that all orders are expected to be sent today, but the enlistment dates are set for the beginning of September, about two weeks away.Earlier this week, Israeli Army Chief Eyal Zamir outlined the operational phases of the plan, which include reinforcing Israeli forces in the northern Gaza Strip, in preparation for the occupation of Gaza City.The plan builds on a decision made on Aug 8 to present Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's proposal for a gradual reoccupation of the Gaza Strip, starting with Gaza City.The plan also calls for the displacement of about 1mn Palestinian citizens from the city to the southern Gaza Strip, before encircling it and beginning incursions into residential areas.On Aug 11, the Israeli army began the first phase of its Gaza occupation with a large-scale attack on Al-Zeitoun neighbourhood in southeastern Gaza City. The attack included the use of remote explosive robots to demolish homes, along with artillery shelling, random firing, and forced displacement operations.The decision to occupy the Gaza Strip sparked widespread international condemnation, as Germany announced a ban on arms exports to the Israeli entity, while British and French newspapers called for comprehensive sanctions on it.UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer also condemned the decision, saying that the Israeli government's decision to further escalate its offensive in Gaza is wrong. He urged it to reconsider immediately.Starmer warned of the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and emphasised the urgent need for a ceasefire.Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron warned Wednesday that the military attack Israel is preparing to take over Gaza City will only lead to an actual calamity for the Palestinians and Israelis alike.Posting on X Platform, Macron said the military offensive in Gaza that Israel is preparing can only lead to disaster for both peoples and risks plunging the entire region into a cycle of permanent war.He added that he has just spoken with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and King Abdullah II of Jordan about this matter, as well as the need to stop it.Macron further indicated that he shares the same conviction with Egypt and Jordan, highlighting the conditions he deems essential to end the conflict, which are primarily a lasting ceasefire in Gaza, releasing all hostages, providing massive humanitarian aid to Gazans, disarming Hamas movement, and strengthening the power of the Palestinian authority in Gaza.The French leader has so far sent a similar caution ten days ago, reiterating his call for forming an international mission to achieve stability in collaboration with Egypt and Jordan.The Egyptian president held a phone call Wednesday with Macron during which highlighted Egypt's intensive efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza, secure the release of hostages and detainees, and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid amid the worsening crisis in the enclave.