Israeli forces dropped evacuation leaflets over Bani Suhaila, ordering dozens of families in the Al-Reqeb encampment to leave — the first such notices since the October ceasefire. Israel said the leaflets were warnings to prevent crossings of the armistice line and denied plans for mass displacement. Hamas and residents say the move is part of repeated eastward expansions that have displaced thousands and worsened the humanitarian crisis in Khan Younis.
Israel Orders Evacuation In Bani Suhaila — First Forced Move Since October Ceasefire
A child looks out from a tent as displaced Palestinians shelter in a tent camp in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, January 19, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
CAIRO, Jan 20 (Reuters) — Israeli forces dropped leaflets on Monday ordering dozens of Palestinian families in the Bani Suhaila area, east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, to evacuate — an action residents and Hamas said was the first forced displacement since the U.S.-brokered ceasefire took effect in October.
Residents of the Al-Reqeb neighbourhood said the notices targeted families living in tent encampments and partially damaged homes. The leaflets, written in Arabic, Hebrew and English, read:
Displaced Palestinians shelter in a tent camp in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, January 19, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
"Urgent message. The area is under IDF control. You must evacuate immediately."
Israel's military confirmed the leaflet drops but denied any plan for mass forced displacement, saying the notices were intended to warn civilians not to cross the armistice ("yellow") line with Hamas. In earlier phases of the conflict prior to the ceasefire, the military frequently used leaflets to warn residents ahead of raids or strikes.
Sides Far Apart On Next Phases
The ceasefire has moved only through its initial phase: large-scale fighting has subsided, Israel has withdrawn from less than half of Gaza, and Hamas released hostages in exchange for Palestinian detainees and prisoners. Most of Gaza's population — more than two million people — remain confined in roughly one-third of the territory, many living in makeshift tents and damaged buildings under a Hamas-led local administration.
A child holds a blanket as displaced Palestinians shelter in a tent camp in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, January 19, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Israeli and Hamas officials continue to accuse each other of ceasefire violations and remain divided over the more complex, as-yet-unresolved steps for later phases. Under a plan outlined by U.S. President Donald Trump, future phases would include Hamas disarming, further Israeli withdrawals, and an internationally backed administration to help rebuild Gaza — but those steps have not been finalized.
Residents Report Repeated Eastward Shifts
One resident, Mahmoud, who declined to give his family name, said the evacuation order affected about 70 families living in tents and partially damaged homes. He told Reuters by phone from Khan Younis that the so-called yellow line has been pushed several times in recent weeks, each time advancing roughly 120 to 150 metres into territory previously under Palestinian control.
A woman cooks as displaced Palestinians shelter in a tent camp in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, January 19, 2026. REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa
Hamas Cites Humanitarian Disruption
Ismail Al-Thawabta, director of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, said Israeli forces expanded the area under their control in eastern Khan Younis five times since the ceasefire and estimated that at least 9,000 people have been displaced by those moves. He said the most recent orders affected approximately 3,000 people and created a "state of humanitarian disruption," increasing pressure on already limited shelter space and aggravating internal displacement in the governorate.
The Israeli military has said it opened fire in incidents where it identified militants crossing the yellow line and approaching troops, describing such actions as immediate threats. It has continued to conduct targeted operations and air strikes across Gaza and says it treats any attempted attacks by Gaza militants with "utmost severity."
Since the ceasefire took effect in October, Reuters has counted more than 460 Palestinian deaths and three Israeli soldiers killed. The current hostilities began after an October 2023 attack by Hamas-led fighters that Israeli tallies say killed about 1,200 people; Gaza health authorities say Israel's subsequent offensive has killed some 71,000 people in the enclave.
(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Editing by Alison Williams)
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