Washington [US], September 4: The Israeli army has mobilized about 60,000 reserve soldiers in several waves to serve the military campaign in the Gaza Strip, while aiming to gain complete control of Gaza City, according to Reuters. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir announced on September 2 that Israel's campaign to gain control of Gaza City has begun, while affirming that the IDF is determined to completely defeat Hamas.
In a video message to the reserve forces, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stressed on September 2: "Israel is moving towards total victory. What began in Gaza must end in Gaza." However, Israel's large-scale mobilization plan is currently facing obstacles when the rate of reservists showing up is lower than expected due to pressure from continuous reenlistments, financial difficulties and political opposition, according to The Guardian . Meanwhile, the fighting on the ground remains fierce as continuous Israeli airstrikes and shelling across the Gaza Strip killed at least 100 people on September 2, according to Reuters.
Commenting on the situation in Gaza, French President Emmanuel Macron stressed on September 2 that Israel cannot stop efforts towards the recognition of a Palestinian state through an expanded offensive in Gaza or by taking control of more Palestinian territory.
In another development, the Israeli Ministry of Defense announced on September 3 that it had successfully launched its latest spy satellite, Ofek 19, from a secret location. In a press release, the Israeli Ministry of Defense said Ofek 19 is a spy satellite that uses modern synthetic aperture radar (SAR) technology, upgraded with many advanced features.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper