Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering a plan to force all Palestinian civilians out of northern Gaza, including Gaza City, in order to lay siege to Hamas and force the release of hostages.

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israel is examining a plan to use siege tactics against Hamas in northern Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quoted by several Israeli media outlets as saying on Sunday. Netanyahu's office did not respond to a request for comment. The reports cited unnamed sources at a closed parliament committee meeting.

Hamas has flatly rejected the U.S.' new proposal for Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal. The draft for the new proposal was given to Hamas and Israel last week via Qatari and Egyptian negotiators.

Israel and Hezbollah are exchanging hundreds of cross-border strikes in the wake of the shocking explosions of wireless devices across Lebanon. The Israel Defense Forces said warplanes hit Hezbollah targets in six locations in southern Lebanon into Wednesday.

Prime Minister Netanyahu is considering a plan to convert northern Gaza into a military zone while revealing that half the hostages are alive amid escalating tensions on multiple fronts.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told the country’s parliament he is considering the military’s so-called “Generals’ Plan,” which would evacuate all residents from northern Gaza to lay complete siege to the area,