Israel authorizes the mobilization of 60,000 reservists in response to the seizure of Gaza

In the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, several significant developments have taken place in recent days.

Israel's far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich announced plans for settlements in the E1 area, a move that could potentially bury the idea of a Palestinian state. This decision, however, has been met with criticism from various countries, including Germany, who argue that such projects are contrary to international law and make a two-state solution impossible.

The E1 area, located between East Jerusalem and the settlement of Maale Adumim, is particularly sensitive due to its geographical location. Construction in this area would effectively divide the West Bank into a northern and a southern part.

Meanwhile, tensions on the ground remain high. In a dramatic incident in the south of the Gaza Strip, more than 15 heavily armed Palestinians attacked an army position, resulting in the death of ten attackers by Israeli troops in cooperation with the air force.

The civilians in the Gaza Strip, estimated to be around two million people, have been urged to flee ahead of a potential offensive. The city of Gaza, home to approximately one million people, is preparing to move its residents to tent quarters further south on the coastal strip.

Israel has also taken steps to prepare for a takeover of the city of Gaza. The mobilization of an additional 60,000 reservists has been approved, with up to 130,000 reservists potentially being deployed in the Gaza Strip following these new mobilizations. The takeover will mainly involve active duty soldiers, while the reserve service of another 20,000 soldiers is to be extended.

Israeli troops are already present in suburbs of the city of Gaza, including the neighborhoods of Al-Saitun and Djabalija.

The international community continues to engage in efforts to broker a ceasefire. The latest proposal, an updated version of a previously negotiated proposal by US special envoy Steve Witkoff, provides for a 60-day ceasefire during which ten living hostages are to be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. There are still 50 hostages in Gaza, of whom at least 20 are believed to be alive.

However, both Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Islamic Hamas in the Gaza Strip have rejected a two-state solution, a peaceful coexistence of an independent Palestinian state and Israel.

The conflict has taken a heavy toll on both sides. Since the start of the war almost two years ago, more than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed according to figures from the Hamas-controlled health authority. The massacre on October 7, 2023, where around 1,200 people were killed and more than 250 others were kidnapped in a terrorist attack in southern Israel, has also left deep scars. Israel rejects recognition as a "reward for Hamas" following this incident.

Several countries, including France, Canada, and Australia, plan to recognize a Palestinian state next month, adding to the list of countries such as Ireland, Norway, Spain, and Mexico who have already done so. This recognition is set to be discussed at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September 2025, with France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Malta, and San Marino announcing their plans to consider recognizing Palestine as a state.

As the situation in Gaza continues to evolve, the international community will need to navigate these complex issues with care and diplomacy to find a path towards a peaceful resolution.

Israel authorizes the mobilization of 60,000 reservists in response to the seizure of Gaza