Middle East Latest: Israel calls up 60K reservists for Gaza City offensive

Military & Strategic Analysis - Israel launched strikes on Gaza City, initiating a planned assault involving 60,000 reservists [1] - Hamas has likely lost 15,000 to 20,000 fighters, though they have reconstituted to some extent and continue firing missiles at Israel [3] - Israel has suffered approximately 7,000 killed and wounded, both civilian and military [4] - Israel intends to dominate Gaza City militarily, which is straining the nation's economy and defense forces [5] - Most of Israel's active military force is focused on the north, Gaza, and the West Bank, where there are half a million Israeli settlers and 3 million Palestinians [8] Hostage Situation & Ceasefire - Relatives of hostages are pleading for a ceasefire to allow their loved ones to return home, emphasizing that time is running out [2] - The release of the remaining 20 hostages, along with the remains of deceased hostages, could potentially provoke an immediate ceasefire [4] - The likelihood of recovering the hostages is considered dim, especially if the offensive in Gaza City proceeds [7][8] - Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is under pressure from hardliners who threaten to bring down his government if he pursues a ceasefire deal [9] International Relations & Political Implications - Israel has largely lost the support of the global community due to its actions in Gaza [10] - Arab governments, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, are unwilling to engage with Gaza, viewing the Palestinians as a threat to their internal stability [11][12] - France and the UK may call at the UN for a Palestinian state, though this is considered unlikely to happen [10] - A two-state solution is considered dead for a hundred years [8] Humanitarian Crisis - There are warnings from UN officials that people in Gaza, already weakened by starvation, may not survive another evacuation [2] - The situation is described as an absolute tragic humanitarian disaster, with tens of thousands of Palestinians dead [13]