Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is examining a plan to seal off humanitarian aid to northern Gaza in an attempt to starve out Hamas militants.

The Israeli military is carrying out a widespread operation in northern Gaza, issuing evacuation orders and blocking food supplies, just weeks after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reported to be mulling a plan to besiege the area to starve Hamas and force it to release hostages.

Israeli forces expanded their ground operations into northern Gaza, reaching the northern edge of Gaza City and bombarding parts of the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, according to local residents. Tanks and artillery fire forced many families to flee as Israeli troops isolated the towns of Beit Hanoun,