TEL AVIV — Israel will call up several brigades, totaling thousands of reservists, an Israeli military official said Sunday, as the country considers plans to expand operations in the Gaza Strip.

The war began after Hamas led a surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and saw roughly 250 taken back to Gaza as hostages. In the aftermath, Israeli leaders vowed to destroy Hamas in Gaza and free all of the captives held there.

Israel's army chief Eyal Zamir said on Sunday the military had issued orders to call up tens of thousands of reservists to enhance and expand the operation in Gaza. (Reporting by Ahmed Tolba; Editing by Andrew Heavens) Copyright 2025 Thomson Reuters.