Israeli forces push deeper into Gaza City as thousands of Palestinians flee

Israeli troops were again battling militants in areas that the army said had been largely cleared months ago in northern Gaza

Israeli soldiers move on the top of a tank near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel on Monday (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Israeli forces have advanced deeper into the Gaza Strip’s largest city in pursuit of militants, sending thousands of Palestinians fleeing on Monday from an area ravaged in the early weeks of the nine-month-long war.

Hamas warned the latest raids and displacement in Gaza City could lead to the collapse of long-running negotiations over a ceasefire and hostage release after the two sides had appeared to have narrowed the gaps in recent days.