On April 22 and 23, Gazans across the Strip were startled to receive unsolicited text messages urging them to “consider opportunities to leave the Gaza Strip.” The alerts mentioned meeting points like the Netzarim Corridor and an enigmatic contact called “Captain Jalal,” but offered no details about financial aid or safe passage. Without clear instructions or assurances, many residents were left confused and fearful.

The Gaza Strip has endured a crippling blockade and relentless bombardment for nearly twenty years. Israel’s current military offensive, led by the Netanyahu regime, has compounded the humanitarian disaster, reducing neighborhoods to rubble and forcing countless families into dire circumstances. Against this backdrop of deprivation and insecurity, information campaigns have become a weapon of choice. In past clashes, leaflets, social media blasts and broadcast messages were used to spread fear and prompt civilian flight.

This latest round of SMS prompts was first highlighted by Haaretz’s social media channels on April 22. Gazans saw brief texts advising them to pack up and leave, but without any indication of who was behind the messages or what “opportunities” awaited.

Follow-up reports identified some recipients in al-Nuseirat refugee camp, who were told to appear at the Netzarim Corridor between 9 AM and 2 PM and to reach out via WhatsApp. These specifics hint at a coordinated effort to herd civilians toward certain sites, more intimidation than aid.

The Israel Defense Forces officially disclaims any involvement. According to their statements, they neither authored nor authorized the text prompts and have no record of such an operation. We present these denials as the regime’s own claims, recognizing that the IDF has a well-documented history of psychological operations aimed at weakening Palestinian resolve.

From the standpoint of international law, these messages raise serious red flags. The Hague Regulations and the Fourth Geneva Convention bind an occupying power to ensure the welfare of the occupied population and forbid any form of forced displacement. Article 49 of the Fourth Geneva Convention explicitly prohibits deportation or transfer of civilians.

When an occupier uses coercive messaging to push people out of their homes, it blurs the line into collective punishment, a practice universally outlawed.

In the absence of transparent evidence for a genuine relocation plan, these SMS prompts appear to be another instrument of psychological warfare, designed to unsettle Gazans and drive them toward danger. The Netanyahu regime’s use of such tactics underscores the broader strategy of intimidation at play in Gaza. We urge all parties to clarify their intentions and remind the world that respect for international humanitarian law is not optional, it is a binding obligation.