A UN official has characterized the situation in Gaza City as 'cataclysmic' amid continuing advances by Israeli tanks and troops in the area. The commentary comes as the Israeli military escalates its ground offensive on the third day, with significant implications for the civilian population.
Olga Cherevko, a representative from the UN humanitarian office, reported witnessing a relentless flow of displaced individuals heading south out of Gaza City, even as hundreds of thousands remain trapped in the besieged city. The ongoing violence has rendered hospitals incapable of functioning effectively, putting many lives at risk.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that hospitals are on the brink of collapse due to restricted access and lack of essential medical supplies. The Israeli military asserts its operations aim to dismantle Hamas's infrastructure and retrieve hostages held by the group, but the imposition of military actions within urban areas has drawn international outcry.
As the offensive unfolds, civilians are bearing the brunt of the violence. Many have been forced to evacuate under harrowing conditions, often on foot, carrying little more than essential belongings. Cherevko highlighted that logistical challenges, compounded by high costs and limited resources, deter many from reaching designated safe zones, resulting in overcrowded sidewalks and makeshift shelters.
Reports indicate that at least 14 people were killed in Gaza due to Israeli fire on the same day, with the military claiming its efforts are aimed at neutralizing militant threats. Meanwhile, the WHO and other humanitarian organizations stress that the humanitarian crisis is deepening, with essential health services crippled, and calls for urgent international intervention continue to mount.
Israeli military action in Gaza has intensified following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October 2023, which left considerable casualties and spurred significant military countermeasures. Since then, fatalities in Gaza have surged, highlighting an ongoing humanitarian disaster.
Olga Cherevko, a representative from the UN humanitarian office, reported witnessing a relentless flow of displaced individuals heading south out of Gaza City, even as hundreds of thousands remain trapped in the besieged city. The ongoing violence has rendered hospitals incapable of functioning effectively, putting many lives at risk.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that hospitals are on the brink of collapse due to restricted access and lack of essential medical supplies. The Israeli military asserts its operations aim to dismantle Hamas's infrastructure and retrieve hostages held by the group, but the imposition of military actions within urban areas has drawn international outcry.
As the offensive unfolds, civilians are bearing the brunt of the violence. Many have been forced to evacuate under harrowing conditions, often on foot, carrying little more than essential belongings. Cherevko highlighted that logistical challenges, compounded by high costs and limited resources, deter many from reaching designated safe zones, resulting in overcrowded sidewalks and makeshift shelters.
Reports indicate that at least 14 people were killed in Gaza due to Israeli fire on the same day, with the military claiming its efforts are aimed at neutralizing militant threats. Meanwhile, the WHO and other humanitarian organizations stress that the humanitarian crisis is deepening, with essential health services crippled, and calls for urgent international intervention continue to mount.
Israeli military action in Gaza has intensified following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel in October 2023, which left considerable casualties and spurred significant military countermeasures. Since then, fatalities in Gaza have surged, highlighting an ongoing humanitarian disaster.
