Khan Younis (The Palestine Telegraph Newspaper) January 20,
2026 – Israeli forces ordered dozens of Palestinian families in southern Gaza
to vacate their homes in Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Younis, marking the first
compulsory evacuation since the US-brokered ceasefire in October. Leaflets
dropped on January 19 instructed residents in the Al-Reqeb neighbourhood to
leave immediately, as the military expanded control in the area. Hamas
officials reported that the orders affected around 3,000 people, exacerbating a
humanitarian crisis amid limited shelter options.
Israeli troops distributed leaflets over tent encampments and partially damaged homes in the Al-Reqeb neighbourhood of Bani Suhaila on Monday. The leaflets, printed in Arabic, Hebrew, and English, stated:
“Urgent message. The area is under IDF control. You must evacuate immediately.”
Residents confirmed that at least 70 families received the orders and fled
westward toward Khan Younis.
A local resident from Bani Suhaila, who spoke anonymously,
described the displacement as the fourth or fifth time Israel had advanced the
so-called “yellow line” – the boundary separating Israeli-controlled areas from
Palestinian-held territory – since the previous month. Each advance covered 120
to 150 metres into Palestinian-controlled land, according to the resident. The
Israeli military did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the
evacuation orders.
Hamas Reports Expanded Israeli Control in Khan Younis
Credit: aljazeera.com
Ismail Al-Thawabta, director of the Hamas-run Gaza government media office, stated that Israeli forces had expanded control in eastern Khan Younis five times since the ceasefire began. These expansions displaced at least 9,000 individuals prior to the latest orders, he added. The January 19 leaflets targeted the Bani Suhaila area as part of a policy to intimidate civilians, according to Thawabta.
Thawabta noted that the new orders impacted approximately
3,000 people, creating a state of humanitarian disruption. Shelter areas
remained limited, deepening the internal displacement crisis in Khan Younis
Governorate, he said. More than 2 million people in Gaza live confined to about
a third of the territory, mostly in tents and damaged buildings under Hamas-led
administration.
During the two-year conflict before the ceasefire, Israel
frequently dropped similar leaflets over areas prior to raids or bombardments,
forcing families to relocate multiple times. Residents and a Hamas source
confirmed this was the first such instance since the truce took effect.
Ceasefire Context and Ongoing Tensions
The ceasefire, brokered by the United States in October,
halted major fighting after Israel launched operations in Gaza following a
Hamas-led attack on October 7, 2023, that killed 1,200 people. Israel’s
subsequent assault killed approximately 71,000 people, according to Gaza health
authorities. The truce advanced only to its first phase, involving hostage
releases by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian detainees and Israel’s partial
withdrawal from less than half of Gaza.
Israel and Hamas have accused each other of major ceasefire
violations. The Israeli military has opened fire on what it described as
“terrorists” crossing the yellow line and approaching troops, viewing such
actions as immediate threats. It continued air strikes and targeted operations
across Gaza, treating militant attacks on Israel with utmost severity.
Since the ceasefire, more than 460 Palestinians and three
Israeli soldiers have been killed. Future phases, yet to be agreed, include
Hamas disarmament, further Israeli withdrawals, and an internationally backed
administration for Gaza reconstruction under US President Donald Trump’s plan.
Resident Accounts of Repeated Displacements
Credit: fb/UNICEF
Mahmoud, a father of three from Bani Suhaila who withheld his family name, reported fleeing with his family after the leaflets. He spoke by phone from Khan Younis, where displaced families relocated. The orders affected families in tents and homes, some partially damaged.
Residents in Bani Suhaila noted the leaflets dropped
specifically over makeshift camps in Al-Reqeb. The area lies east of Khan
Younis, a region repeatedly targeted during the prior conflict. Gaza’s population
faces ongoing challenges with shelter and aid amid the confined living space.
The Israeli military has maintained operations to counter
perceived threats from militant groups. No further details on the specific
reason for the Bani Suhaila expansion were provided in reports.
Background on Gaza Ceasefire Violations
Credit: Abdel Kareem Hana/AP
Reports indicate mutual accusations of breaches since the October ceasefire. Hamas and Gaza officials have documented multiple Israeli actions, including air and artillery bombardments. Israel has reported responding to incursions by militants.
The truce followed prolonged negotiations involving the US,
Egypt, and Qatar. Initial phases included hostage and prisoner exchanges, but
progress stalled on permanent measures. Gaza remains divided, with Israel
controlling buffer zones marked by the yellow line.
Humanitarian conditions persist, with aid restrictions and
infrastructure damage reported. The latest evacuation underscores tensions over
territorial control in southern Gaza.