Israel-Hamas war: 'Fatigued' IDF initiates plan to conquer Gaza

Israel's war with Hamas is now its longest-ever. And with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initiating the Gaza takeover plan, his forces are in a serious need for a reboot. Media reports have claimed the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) has been weary, tired and fatigued.

Now, Israel's Defence Minister has approved a plan to call-up about 60,000 reservist soldiers to beef up its forces. The service term for 20,000 troopers has also been extended, according to the announcement.

In a country of fewer than 10 million people, the call-up of so many reservists carries economic and political weight, and comes just days after hundreds of thousands of Israelis rallied for a ceasefire.

A survey from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem says that nearly 40% of soldiers were slightly or significantly less motivated to serve, while a little more than 13% were more motivated. That's a stark difference from the aftermath of the October 7 attacks, when some 360,000 reservists were called up in the largest mobilisation since 1973. Media reports say the IDF saw a 130% turnout at the time, as many reported for duty without being called up.

The update on Israel's renewed military offensive comes as Hamas, and international mediators, are pushing for ceasefire negotiations. But Netanyahu has not yet called a security cabinet meeting to discuss any response to the latest truce proposal.

His office said in a statement Wednesday that the prime minister had "directed that the timetables for seizing control of the last terrorist strongholds and the defeat of Hamas be shortened", without indicating a specific timeframe.

Media reports say the recent truce included the return of 10 hostages and 18 bodies from Gaza. Hamas has confirmed that 49 hostages are still in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead.

Israel's offensive has killed at least 62,122 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, which the United Nations considers reliable.