By Nidal al-Mughrabi
CAIRO, Jan 20 (Reuters) – Israeli forces have ordered dozens of Palestinian families in the southern Gaza Strip to leave their homes in the first forced displacement since an October ceasefire, as residents and Hamas said on Tuesday the army was expanding the territory it controls.
Residents of Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Yunis, said leaflets were dropped on families living in tent camps in the al-Reqab neighborhood on Monday.
“Urgent message. The area is under IDF control. You must evacuate immediately,” read leaflets in Arabic, Hebrew and English, which the army dropped in the al-Reqb neighborhood of Bani Suhaila city.
Israel’s military has denied plans to forcibly evict Palestinians from the area. It confirmed the drop of the leaflet but said it was intended to warn Palestinians not to cross the cease-fire line with Hamas.
In the two-year war before a US-brokered ceasefire was signed in October, Israel dropped leaflets in areas that were later attacked or bombed, forcing some families to move multiple times.
Residents and sources from the Hamas militant group said it was the first time they had been removed since then.
Sides apart in the next steps
The ceasefire has not progressed beyond its first phase, under which major fighting has stopped, Israel has withdrawn from less than half of Gaza, and Hamas has released hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees.
The entire population of more than 2 million people is confined to about a third of Gaza’s territory, mostly in makeshift tents and damaged buildings, where life has resumed under the control of the Hamas-led administration.
Israel and Hamas accuse each other of major violations of the cease-fire and are far apart in the more difficult phases planned for the next phase.
Mahmoud, a resident of Bani Suhaila area, who asked not to give his family’s name, said the evacuation order affected at least 70 families, living in tents and houses, some of which were partially damaged.
“We have fled the area and moved westward. This is the fourth or fifth time since last month that the occupation has extended the yellow line,” he told Reuters by phone from Khan Younis, referring to the line Israel has withdrawn from.
“Each time they move it around 120 to 150 meters (yards) inside the Palestinian controlled area, swallowing more land,” said the father of three.
Hamas cited the situation as a humanitarian crisis
Ismail al-Thawabta, director of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, said the Israeli army had expanded the area under its control in eastern Khan Yunis five times since the ceasefire, forcing the displacement of 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 region of eastern Khan Younis governorate, which is part of a policy of intimidation and pressure on civilians,” Thawabta told Reuters.
He said the new evacuation order affected about 3,000 people.
“This move created a situation of humanitarian disruption, increased pressure on already limited shelter areas, and deepened the internal displacement crisis in the governorate,” Thawabta added.
Israel’s military previously said it opened fire after identifying “terrorists” who had crossed the yellow line and approached its troops, posing an immediate threat to them.
It continues to conduct airstrikes and targeted operations in Gaza. The Israeli military said it viewed any attempt by terrorist groups in Gaza to attack Israel “extremely seriously”.
Under future phases of the ceasefire that have not yet been concluded, US President Donald Trump’s plan envisages an internationally-backed administration to disarm Hamas, further withdraw Israel and rebuild Gaza.
More than 460 Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers have been killed since the ceasefire took effect.
Israel launched its operation in Gaza in October 2023 following an attack by Hamas-led militants that killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli estimates. Israel’s offensive has killed 71,000 people, health officials in the enclave said.
(Reporting by Nidal Al-Mughrabi; Editing by Alison Williams)
