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, said she had seen a constant stream of Palestinians heading south during a recent visit to the city, but that hundreds of thousands remained.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that overwhelmed hospitals were on the brink of collapse because it was being prevented from delivering lifesaving supplies. The Israeli military said its forces were 'dismantling terror infrastructure and eliminating terrorists' in Gaza City, claiming objectives include freeing hostages held by Hamas and defeating fighters in what it describes as the group's 'main stronghold'.
However, the offensive on Gaza's largest urban area, previously home to one million people, has drawn substantial international condemnation. UN officials report at least 200,000 individuals have crossed from northern to southern Gaza since mid-August, with an alarming increase of around 55,000 since the past Sunday alone.
Cherevko noted seeing a persistent stream of people crossing into the south on foot, while many remain trapped in Gaza City. She witnessed intense bombardments and underscored the chaos, with hospitals overwhelmed and suffering from a lack of essential resources.
The WHO expressed concern over the dire conditions amid escalating violence. Current figures from the UN indicate about 1,790 hospital beds are available for 2.1 million residents, with occupancy rates soaring to 300%. The assault has severely impacted medical facilities, including the last pediatric hospital, which was damaged by Israeli strikes.
As civilians flee south, their safety is not assured; many find themselves without shelter, struggling to survive in makeshift conditions. The conflict has resulted in at least 65,141 fatalities in Gaza since the outbreak in October, highlighting the increasingly pressing humanitarian crisis in the region.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned that overwhelmed hospitals were on the brink of collapse because it was being prevented from delivering lifesaving supplies. The Israeli military said its forces were 'dismantling terror infrastructure and eliminating terrorists' in Gaza City, claiming objectives include freeing hostages held by Hamas and defeating fighters in what it describes as the group's 'main stronghold'.
However, the offensive on Gaza's largest urban area, previously home to one million people, has drawn substantial international condemnation. UN officials report at least 200,000 individuals have crossed from northern to southern Gaza since mid-August, with an alarming increase of around 55,000 since the past Sunday alone.
Cherevko noted seeing a persistent stream of people crossing into the south on foot, while many remain trapped in Gaza City. She witnessed intense bombardments and underscored the chaos, with hospitals overwhelmed and suffering from a lack of essential resources.
The WHO expressed concern over the dire conditions amid escalating violence. Current figures from the UN indicate about 1,790 hospital beds are available for 2.1 million residents, with occupancy rates soaring to 300%. The assault has severely impacted medical facilities, including the last pediatric hospital, which was damaged by Israeli strikes.
As civilians flee south, their safety is not assured; many find themselves without shelter, struggling to survive in makeshift conditions. The conflict has resulted in at least 65,141 fatalities in Gaza since the outbreak in October, highlighting the increasingly pressing humanitarian crisis in the region.
