In the southern Gaza Strip, Israeli forces have ordered dozens of Palestinian families to leave their homes, marking the first forced evacuations since the ceasefire brokered in October 2025. Residents and representatives from Hamas reported on Tuesday that the Israeli military is extending its operational reach in the area.
Families living in the Al‑Reqeb neighborhood of Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Younis, received leaflets on Monday instructing them to vacate immediately. Written in Arabic, Hebrew, and English, the messages stated: “Urgent message. The area is under IDF control. You must evacuate immediately.” Many of the residents live in tent encampments or partially damaged structures, and the notices triggered immediate relocation.
Although Israel’s military confirmed the leaflet drops, it denied plans to forcibly displace civilians, describing the notices as precautionary warnings for Palestinians to avoid crossing the armistice line with Hamas. Leaflets had been previously used during the two-year conflict before the ceasefire, typically preceding raids or airstrikes, compelling families to move repeatedly. Locals and Hamas sources said this was the first such action since hostilities subsided.
The ceasefire, however, has only partially taken effect. Israel has retreated from less than half of Gaza, and Hamas has released hostages in exchange for Palestinian detainees. The majority of Gaza’s population—over 2 million people—remains confined to roughly a third of the territory, living in temporary shelters or damaged buildings under Hamas administration. Both sides continue to accuse each other of violating the truce, with major disagreements remaining over subsequent phases, including further withdrawals and disarmament.
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Local resident Mahmoud, who requested that his surname not be used, said the latest evacuation affected roughly 70 families. “We moved westward. This is perhaps the fourth or fifth time the boundary has been extended since last month,” he said. “Each time, Israel pushes 120 to 150 meters further into Palestinian-controlled areas, seizing more land.”
Hamas officials warned that the latest move exacerbates the humanitarian crisis. Ismail Al-Thawabta, director of the Hamas-run media office, said that at least 3,000 people were displaced on Monday alone, with tens of thousands affected by previous expansions of Israeli control in eastern Khan Younis. He described the situation as a severe strain on limited shelter areas, deepening internal displacement and increasing civilian vulnerability.
Israel has maintained that any individuals approaching the yellow line and posing an immediate threat are subject to military action. Airstrikes and targeted operations continue across Gaza, with the military emphasizing its zero-tolerance stance against attacks from militant factions.
Since the October ceasefire, more than 460 Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers have been reported dead. The conflict’s origins trace back to Hamas-led attacks in October 2023 that killed 1,200 people, followed by Israeli military responses that Gaza authorities say claimed 71,000 lives. Future phases under U.S. mediation envisage further Israeli withdrawals, Hamas disarmament, and the establishment of an internationally backed administration to rebuild Gaza.