Gaza Forced Evacuation 2026: IDF Orders Civilians to Move in First Post-Ceasefire Displacement

The guns are silent, but the leaflets are still falling. In a move that's rattled the fragile peace in the Middle East, the IDF issued its first forced evacuation order since the October 2025 ceasefire, signaling a tense new chapter in the Gaza Strip on January 19, 2026.

Israel Gaza Forced Evacuation: A Blow to the Peace Deal

Residents of Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Younis, reported that Israeli planes dropped leaflets over tent encampments on Monday. The message was blunt: "The area is under IDF control. You must evacuate immediately." According to Hamas-run government media, this order has affected approximately 3,000 people who had already been displaced multiple times during the two-year conflict.

While Israel denies any systematic plan to permanently displace Palestinians, locals say the military's "yellow line"—the boundary marking Israeli-controlled zones—is creeping forward. Some residents told Reuters the line has moved 120 to 150 meters deeper into Palestinian territory at least five times since the truce began.

Humanitarian Strain and the Trump Peace Plan

The latest displacement adds immense pressure on already overcrowded shelters. More than 2 million people are currently confined to just one-third of the Gaza Strip's territory. Despite the major fighting stopping, 460 Palestinians and 3 Israeli soldiers have been killed in sporadic skirmishes since the ceasefire took effect.

The ceasefire remains in its first phase. U.S. President Donald Trump's long-term plan envisions a fully disarmed Hamas and an international administration rebuilding the enclave. However, with both sides accusing each other of major breaches, the transition to the next phase looks increasingly unlikely in the near term.