IDF says third division readying to join Gaza offensive

By Emanuel Fabian

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23 March 2025, 8:06 pm 29 Edit

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

Armored vehicles of the 36th Division are seen at a staging ground in southern Israel, in a handout photo issued by the military on March 23, 2025. (Israel Defense Forces)

The IDF says thousands of troops are preparing to join military operations in Gaza, ramping up the military’s renewed ground offensive against the Hamas terror group, which is currently being carried out with limited forces.

The army’s 36th Division, which spent months in the north and took part in a ground offensive against Hezbollah in Lebanon, is being redeployed to the Southern Command and has begun preparations for military operations in the Gaza Strip, the IDF says.

Currently, only the IDF’s Gaza Division and 252nd Reserve Division are carrying out operations inside the Gaza Strip. The move will add thousands of more troops to the offensive.

Israel has threatened to expand operations in the Strip as it seeks to pile pressure on Hamas to free hostages still being held in the Strip.