As the conflict in Gaza grinds on with no clear end in sight, Israel is preparing to deepen its military commitment. On Tuesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will begin mobilising 60,000 reservists, according to Channel 12. The initial wave will see five reserve brigades—roughly 15,000 troops—called to active duty.

These reservists are expected to bolster Israel’s presence along its northern frontiers with Lebanon and Syria, as well as in the occupied West Bank. Their deployment will free up regular combat units to continue operations inside Gaza, where fighting remains fierce and casualties high.

The move signals that the Israeli government is bracing for a drawn-out campaign, one that may widen beyond Gaza’s borders. Tensions with Hezbollah in Lebanon have remained perilously high for months, with frequent cross-border exchanges of fire. In the West Bank, meanwhile, clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians continue to simmer, raising the spectre of wider unrest.

The call-up also underscores the strain on Israel’s military capacity, nearly a year into a grinding conflict that has tested both its strategic objectives and international patience.