The situation in Gaza City is 'nothing short of cataclysmic', a UN official has told the BBC, as Israeli tanks and troops continue to advance on the third day of a ground offensive.
Olga Cherevko, a spokeswoman for the UN's humanitarian office, reported a continuous stream of Palestinians heading south, yet hundreds of thousands remain trapped in the city. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that hospitals are on the brink of collapse due to an inability to deliver necessary medical supplies.
The Israeli military states that its operations aim to dismantle terrorist infrastructure and eliminate threats in Gaza City, which has been described as the main stronghold of Hamas. This ongoing offensive has resulted in widespread international condemnation.
Cherevko emphasized the catastrophic conditions facing civilians, with many struggling to evacuate. Among those fleeing, families carry few belongings, and once reaching the south, they find no guaranteed shelter or safety. Reports indicate that displaced families are sleeping on the streets.
As of now, an estimated 1,790 hospital beds are available for the 2.1 million residents of Gaza, leading to dangerously high occupancy rates in the limited operational hospitals. Recent Israeli strikes have further aggravated the crisis, including attacks on hospitals, raising urgent concerns about the health sector's ability to function.
The UN Population Fund highlights the dire circumstances for women who find themselves giving birth in the streets due to the lack of medical facilities.
The ongoing Israeli campaign was triggered by a Hamas attack in October 2023, resulting in a tragic toll of casualties on both sides, aggravating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
