thousands Reservists called up - Netanyahu demands “comprehensive deal” as Hamas signals flexibility

As negotiations over a proposed hostage deal with Hamas continue through Qatari and Egyptian mediation, Israel is preparing for a renewed military push into Gaza City. The government has ordered the early mobilization of IDF reserve forces, signaling its intent to proceed with a phased ground operation while leaving space for diplomatic progress.

Originally scheduled for next month, the mobilization orders are being issued starting today, despite concerns over burdening reservists and their families during the summer vacation period. The decision reflects the government’s determination to sustain military pressure on Hamas, even as diplomatic channels remain active.

Military Readiness and Concerns Over Manpower

Defense officials have acknowledged that reporting rates among reservists may fall below expectations due to nearly two years of intense combat and the strain on soldiers and their families. A reduced turnout could extend the timeline of the planned Gaza City campaign well into 2026, military sources warned.

The upcoming maneuver, led by regular IDF brigades, will focus on encircling Gaza City via multiple axes, aiming to isolate the urban center after urging roughly one million residents to evacuate southward. However, past evacuations have proven only partially effective, with hundreds of thousands remaining in northern Gaza despite similar calls.

Military Leadership Reviews Gaza Strategy

Defense Minister Israel Katz held a high-level meeting with Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and other senior security officials to finalize the operation’s planning. The Southern Command has been refining strategies for urban dissection and control, while reiterating that Israel is still far from establishing military governance in the Gaza Strip.

Security sources emphasized: “Hamas still exercises civil control over the Strip. The population of two million does not depend on the IDF for daily governance.”

Humanitarian Aid and the Cost of War

Despite the planned operation, Israel continues to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. In the past three months alone, over 9,200 supply trucks carrying food, fuel, and medicine have entered the territory. On Monday, the government approved an additional ₪1.6 billion in aid funding, which the defense establishment expects will increase if the Gaza City maneuver expands.

Coordination of aid is being overseen by Maj. Gen. Rasan Alian, with comparisons being drawn to the significantly smaller air deliveries from international governments, which Israel dismisses as largely symbolic.

Hostage Negotiations: Israel Awaits Response

Amid military preparations, diplomatic channels remain active. Hamas has reportedly responded positively to the latest proposal, narrowing gaps on key issues:

• Agreement to a 60-day ceasefire

• Release of 10 live hostages and 18 bodies

• Willingness to settle for a buffer zone of 800 meters–1 km, down from earlier demands

However, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to insist on a comprehensive deal. According to close sources, he is unwilling to settle for a partial agreement, though has not entirely ruled it out.

The Israeli Cabinet is expected to convene tomorrow to formulate an official response to Hamas’s latest proposal, with further instructions to be passed to the IDF thereafter.

U.S. and International Reactions

The White House acknowledged Hamas’s positive response, linking it to strong statements from President Trump earlier this week. White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt said: “We don’t think it’s a coincidence that Hamas responded positively after President Trump’s clear stance.”

Trump recently declared that hostages would only be released when “Hamas is destroyed.” Shortly afterward, Hamas indicated its readiness to proceed with the deal.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed al-Ansari, confirmed Hamas's approval of the framework, calling it the "best available option" and warning that failure to reach an agreement would lead to an escalating humanitarian crisis.

Netanyahu Sets Out Conditions for War’s End

The Prime Minister’s Office issued a formal statement reiterating Israel’s five core conditions for ending the war:

1. Complete disarmament of Hamas

2. Return of all hostages – living and deceased

3. Demilitarization of the Gaza Strip

4. Israeli security control over Gaza

5. Establishment of an alternative civilian authority – not Hamas or the Palestinian Authority

Senior political sources suggested Israel may be trying to signal strength in its stance, possibly to extract further concessions from Hamas before committing to the next phase of talks.

Next Steps

As the clock ticks, all eyes are now on tomorrow’s Israeli Cabinet meeting, which may determine whether the diplomatic route progresses or whether Israel proceeds with a long and costly ground offensive in Gaza City.

With Hamas showing signs of compromise, the ball is now firmly in Israel’s court—caught between strategic calculations, political pressure, and the urgent humanitarian implications on the ground.