Israel intends to take control of Gaza City, with an estimated 200,000 Palestinians unwilling to vacate the area
The Israeli Security Cabinet has approved a phased plan to occupy Gaza City, marking the beginning of a significant military operation. The Israeli army has begun mobilizing 60,000 reservists for this invasion, with at least three brigades slated to participate.
Under intense ground and air assaults on its outer neighborhoods, about 70,000 residents have already been forced from Gaza City. The army's advance is reportedly tied to how quickly Palestinians are displaced, with artillery fire being directed at certain areas to accelerate departures.
However, the Israeli army is facing challenges. Enlistment for the operation has been difficult, and the military has not disclosed how many reservists have actually reported for duty. The army is also facing a shortage of bulldozers, crucial for clearing urban battlefields. Of the approximately 200 bulldozers in the Israeli army's inventory as of Oct 7, 2023, about half have been damaged or destroyed in the fighting. The military has purchased 165 additional bulldozers since then, but only 65 have been delivered so far.
The at least three brigades planned for operations in Gaza City are affiliated with regiments involved in the offensive named Gideon’s Chariot II. This offensive, which builds on the previous operation Gideon’s Chariots, began in August 2025 with tank and infantry units aiming to uproot Hamas from Gaza City. The specific regiments to which these brigades belong are not explicitly detailed in the available sources.
The first stage of the plan involves forcing approximately 1 million Palestinians southward, surrounding the city, and launching heavy bombardments before troops move in. The second stage focuses on occupying refugee camps in Gaza City's center, which has already been reduced to rubble.
Approximately 200,000 Palestinians in Gaza City are estimated to refuse to leave their homes despite life-threatening conditions. The Israeli military aims to displace around 1 million Palestinians from Gaza City, although it remains to be seen how this will unfold in the coming days.
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