Israel’s cabinet has empowered Defence Minister Israel Katz to mobilise up to 430,000 military reservists through 30 November, according to state broadcaster Kan and other local media. The measure significantly expands the pool of troops available to the Israel Defense Forces as the government pursues an intensified ground campaign in Gaza. Military planners say the additional manpower is intended to support a months-long plan to seize Gaza City and establish fuller control over the enclave. The Chief of the General Staff has already ordered unscheduled exercises to ensure units are ready for what the army describes as “any kind of surprises.” The mobilisation decision follows warnings from Israeli officials that protracted urban combat could stretch existing forces and jeopardise efforts to rescue about 20 hostages still held by Hamas. Rights groups and United Nations experts have condemned the ongoing offensive, which Gaza health authorities say has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians and devastated civilian infrastructure.