From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, January 20, 2026
IDF denies issuing new evacuation orders for Gazans
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Contrary to a report by Reuters earlier today, the IDF says it has not issued any new evacuation orders for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, but did warn civilians against crossing the Yellow Line, which demarcates the military’s withdrawal as part of the ceasefire.
According to the Reuters report, the IDF dropped leaflets ordering Palestinians in Bani Suhaila, east of Khan Younis in the Strip’s south, to leave their homes, in what the news agency claimed was the first forced evacuation since October’s ceasefire.
“Urgent message. The area is under IDF control. You must evacuate immediately,” said the leaflets, written in Arabic, Hebrew, and English, according to Reuters.
The military confirms to The Times of Israel that it dropped leaflets in the area, but says it was intended to warn Palestinians against crossing the Gaza ceasefire line, rather than a forced evacuation of an area where civilians were residing.
“Earlier today, IDF troops identified an attempt by Gazan civilians to cross the Yellow Line toward the Israeli-controlled side. The civilians were warned not to cross, including through leaflets that were distributed in the area,” the military says in response to a query.
“Contrary to what was claimed in the publication, there is no evacuation of the population in the area,” the army adds.
Reuters contributed to this report.
The Times of Israel Community.