Israeli forces drop leaflets ordering Palestinian families from Bani Suhaila tents in southern Gaza, first compulsory evacuation since October ceasefire.
Israeli military issues first compulsory evacuation orders to Palestinian families in southern Gaza since October ceasefire, targeting tent dwellers in Bani Suhaila near Khan Younis. Residents report expansion of controlled zones, displacing thousands amid stalled truce negotiations.
Evacuation directives
Leaflets in Arabic, Hebrew and English descended over Al Reqeb neighbourhood on Monday, declaring the zone under IDF authority and demanding immediate departure. Families in tents and damaged structures, numbering at least 70, complied by shifting westward. Local accounts describe this as the fourth or fifth boundary adjustment since last month, each advancing 120 to 150 metres into Palestinian held areas.
Post ceasefire dynamics
This marks the initial forced relocation since the US mediated truce halted major combat two months ago. Prior to October, similar warnings preceded raids and strikes, prompting repeated displacements across Gaza. Over 2 million residents crowd into roughly one third of the territory, relying on makeshift shelters under Hamas administration, with Israel occupying the remainder.
Hamas perspective
Gaza government media director Ismail Al Thawabta reported five territorial expansions in eastern Khan Younis post ceasefire, affecting 9000 displaced persons. Monday orders impacted 3000 individuals, exacerbating shelter shortages and internal migration pressures. He characterised the actions as deliberate civilian intimidation tactics.
Truce phase stagnation
Initial ceasefire terms suspended hostilities, saw partial Israeli withdrawal, and exchanged hostages for detainees. Subsequent phases remain unresolved, with mutual accusations of violations. Future steps envisage Hamas demilitarisation, full Israeli exit, and international oversight for reconstruction, per President Donald Trumps framework.
Military justifications
Israel attributes boundary enforcements to threats from militants breaching the yellow line, prompting shootings where troops face imminent danger. Air operations and precision strikes persist across Gaza to counter regrouping fighters. The IDF views attacks on its positions with utmost gravity, sustaining vigilance despite the lull.
Conflict toll
Since ceasefire activation, 460 Palestinians and three Israeli soldiers lost lives. The broader campaign followed Hamas October 2023 assault killing 1200 Israelis, triggering operations that Gaza health officials tally at 71000 deaths. Over 460 additional Palestinian fatalities and minimal Israeli losses underscore ongoing frictions within the truce framework.
Negotiation gaps
Israel and Hamas diverge sharply on progression, with Jerusalem demanding disarmament guarantees and Gaza insisting on complete withdrawal first. Ceasefire architects, including Washington, press for advancement to avert renewed escalation. Bani Suhaila incident signals fragile containment, testing commitments as displaced families strain limited safe zones further. Boundary creep raises fears of creeping reoccupation, complicating humanitarian flows and reconstruction prospects in the enclave.
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