Israeli forces widened their raid into northern Gaza, and tanks reached the north edge of Gaza City, pounding some districts of the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood, residents said, forcing many families to leave their homes.

For most of the past week, fighting with Palestinian militants centred in and around Jabaliya, in Gaza's north, with Israeli war jets and artillery pounding the area. Residents have said the fighting and Israeli tanks make it impossible to leave.

Israeli military announced an evacuation of the Gaza Strip Friday while Hamas called for residents to remain. Here's how the blockade affects Gaza.