Media: Israel is studying plans to encircle Hamas forces in northern Gaza

Israeli media reported Sunday that Israel is studying a plan to use siege tactics against Hamas militants in the northern Gaza Strip.

Israeli media quoted unnamed sources in a closed-door meeting of the Knesset committee as saying Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made the disclosure at the Knesset meeting. Netanyahu's office did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.

The tactical plan, issued by the retired commander and presented by a group of Knesset members at a meeting this month, proposes instructing Palestinian civilians to withdraw from the northern Gaza Strip, declaring the area a restricted military zone, and then launching a siege operation against Hamas militants stationed there until they surrender.

There are an estimated 5,000 Hamas fighters in the northern Gaza Strip.

Israeli Army Radio reported that Netanyahu told a meeting of the parliament's foreign affairs and defense committee that the plan was being studied.

Israeli public broadcaster KAN quoted Netanyahu as saying the tactical blueprint "works," but added: "It is one of the plans we are considering, and we are also considering others."

Israel has faced heavy criticism from the international community for its nearly year-long offensive against the Gaza Strip and its humanitarian crisis. The population of the northern Gaza Strip, estimated by the United Nations at 300,000 to 500,000, is particularly difficult for humanitarian aid to reach.