Israeli forces have directed dozens of Palestinian families in southern Gaza to leave their homes, marking the first forced evacuation since a ceasefire took effect in October, according to residents and Hamas officials.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Israeli military forces have ordered dozens of Palestinian families in the southern Gaza Strip to evacuate their homes, the first such forced displacement since a ceasefire halted large-scale fighting in October, residents and Hamas officials said Tuesday.
Residents of Bani Suhaila, a town east of Khan Younis, said Israeli aircraft dropped leaflets on Monday over the Al-Reqeb neighborhood, where families have been living in tents and partially damaged homes. The leaflets, written in Arabic, Hebrew, and English, warned residents that the area was now under the control of the Israel Defense Forces and instructed them to leave immediately.
“Urgent message. The area is under IDF control. You must evacuate immediately,” the leaflets stated.
During the two-year conflict preceding the ceasefire, Israeli forces frequently dropped similar leaflets ahead of raids or bombardments, forcing repeated displacement of civilians. Residents and a source within Hamas said this was the first time such evacuation orders had been issued since the truce began. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The ceasefire has stalled at its initial phase, under which major hostilities ceased, Israel withdrew from less than half of Gaza, and Hamas released Israeli hostages in exchange for Palestinian detainees and prisoners. Subsequent phases, which were intended to address deeper political and security issues, have yet to be implemented.
Nearly all of Gaza’s population of more than 2 million people is now confined to roughly one-third of the territory, largely in makeshift shelters and damaged buildings. Civil administration in these areas remains under Hamas control, according to residents.
Israel and Hamas have repeatedly accused each other of serious violations of the ceasefire and remain divided over the terms of future stages.
Mahmoud, a resident of Bani Suhaila who declined to provide his family name, said the evacuation orders affected at least 70 families living in tents and partially damaged homes. Speaking by phone from Khan Younis, he said his family fled westward after the leaflets were dropped.
“This is maybe the fourth or fifth time the occupation expanded the yellow line since last month,” Mahmoud said, referring to the boundary behind which Israeli forces had previously withdrawn. “Each time they move it around 120 to 150 meters inside the Palestinian-controlled territory, swallowing more land,” he said.
Ismail Al-Thawabta, director of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, said Israeli forces have expanded the area under their control in eastern Khan Younis five times since the ceasefire, displacing at least 9,000 people.
“On Monday, 19 January 2026, the Israeli occupation forces dropped warning leaflets demanding the forced evacuation of the Bani Suhaila area in eastern Khan Younis Governorate, in a measure that falls within a policy of intimidation and pressure on civilians,” Al-Thawabta said. He estimated the latest evacuation orders affected about 3,000 people.
“The move created a state of humanitarian disruption, increased pressure on the already limited shelter areas, and further deepened the internal displacement crisis in the governorate,” he added.
The Israeli military has previously said its forces opened fire after identifying what it described as militants crossing the yellow line and approaching troops in ways that posed an immediate threat. Israel has continued air strikes and targeted operations across Gaza, stating it treats any attempt by militant groups to attack Israel “with utmost severity.”
Future phases of the ceasefire, which remain under negotiation, include a plan put forward by President Donald Trump that envisions Hamas disarming, further Israeli withdrawals, and the establishment of an internationally backed administration to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction.
Since the ceasefire took effect, more than 460 Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers have been reported killed, according to figures cited by the parties. Israel launched its military campaign in Gaza following an October 2023 attack by Hamas-led fighters that killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. Gaza health authorities say Israel’s offensive has killed 71,000 people in the enclave.