Israel’s military said it was checking the report.

The Israeli military dropped leaflets from the sky ordering people in several districts in southwest Deir al-Balah, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Gazans have been sheltering, to leave their homes and head further south.

“Can anyone (promise) to us that this decision will not come at the cost of losing our loved ones?” the families said in a statement. Some Palestinians suggested the move on Deir al-Balah might be an attempt to put pressure on Hamas to make more concessions in long-running ceasefire negotiations.

Supporters and families of Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza gather for a rally ahead of a march towards the US Embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel, on 19 July 2025. Source: EPA / Abir Sultan / EPA / AAP Images

Israel and Hamas are engaged in indirect talks in Doha aimed at reaching a 60-day truce and hostage deal, although there has been no sign of breakthrough.

The Israeli military campaign against Hamas in Gaza has since killed more than 58,000 Palestinians according to health officials, displaced almost the entire population and plunged the enclave into a humanitarian crisis.

‘People who didn’t die of bombs will die of hunger’

Food prices have increased well beyond what most of the population of more than two million can afford.

Others said they felt dizzy walking in the streets and that many fainted as they walked. Fathers leave tents to avoid questions by their children about what to eat.