The humanitarian situation in Gaza City is described as “nothing short of catastrophic”, a United Nations official told BBC, as Israeli tanks and troops continue advancing on the third day of a ground offensive.
Olga Cherevko, a spokesperson for the UN humanitarian office, reported witnessing a continuous flow of Palestinians moving south during a recent visit to the city, while noting that hundreds of thousands remain trapped.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that overcrowded hospitals are on the brink of collapse, as essential life-saving supplies are being blocked from reaching medical facilities.
The Israeli military stated that its forces are “dismantling terrorist infrastructure and eliminating militants” in Gaza City. Officials indicated that their objectives include freeing hostages held by Hamas and targeting up to 3,000 fighters in what they described as the group’s “main stronghold.”
However, the ongoing offensive in Gaza’s densely populated urban areas, home to over one million residents and recently confirmed to be suffering from severe food shortages, has drawn widespread international condemnation.
The situation continues to escalate, raising urgent calls from the international community for a humanitarian response to prevent further civilian casualties.
