The situation in Gaza City is described as nothing short of cataclysmic, according to a UN official speaking with the BBC. As Israeli tanks and troops continue their ground offensive on the third day, the humanitarian crisis escalates. Olga Cherevko, a spokeswoman for the UN's humanitarian office, reported witnessing a continuous flow of Palestinians heading south during her recent visit. However, she emphasized that hundreds of thousands of civilians remain trapped in the city.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms about overwhelmed hospitals in Gaza, which are nearing collapse. The organization has been obstructed from delivering crucial lifesaving supplies, exacerbating the dire conditions for those affected by the conflict. The Israeli military has stated that its operations focus on dismantling terror infrastructure and eliminating threats in Gaza City.
Since mid-August, when Israel declared its intention to conquer Gaza City, the UN and its humanitarian partners have recorded over 200,000 people crossing from northern to southern Gaza. Notably, around 55,000 individuals have made this perilous journey just since Sunday.
Cherevko, who is stationed at the UN humanitarian office in Deir al-Balah, shared her experiences from a recent 29-kilometer (18-mile) round trip to Gaza City, which took an arduous 14 hours. She described the scenes she encountered as cataclysmic, with a steady stream of people moving southward, many on foot. Inside Gaza City, she noted that the situation remains extremely crowded, with hundreds of thousands of civilians still present.
During her visit, Cherevko witnessed multiple Israeli airstrikes occurring close to the UN convoy, emphasizing the intensity of the conflict. She stated, "It was really just a constant hit after hit while we were there," reflecting on the perilous environment for civilians.
On Thursday morning, witnesses reported seeing Israeli tanks in northern Sheikh Radwan and southern Tal al-Hawa neighborhoods, both of which have faced heavy bombardment in recent days. Israeli forces have also destroyed remotely driven vehicles packed with explosives, resulting in significant damage to residential areas. Local hospitals reported that at least 14 individuals were killed due to Israeli fire across the Gaza Strip on Thursday, with nine casualties occurring in Gaza City alone.
The Israeli military confirmed that its troops were expanding their operations within the city but did not disclose specific details about their maneuvers. At the onset of the ground assault on Tuesday, military chief of staff Lt Gen Eyal Zamir urged troops to intensify their efforts against Hamas and to decisively dismantle the military capabilities of the Gaza City brigade, emphasizing the moral imperative to return all hostages safely.
Cherevko cautioned that many civilians are unable to comply with the Israeli military's evacuation orders to move to designated humanitarian areas in the south. The cost of relocating belongings, if a vehicle can be found, is exorbitant, making it unaffordable for many families. Consequently, many are forced to evacuate on foot, carrying minimal possessions, such as a mattress or a plastic bag.
Upon arriving in southern Gaza, evacuees face uncertainty regarding shelter and safety. Cherevko recounted conversations with numerous individuals who recently arrived in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis, finding many sitting on the streets without any basic necessities. "I met a family who had been walking around for four days, trying to find space to sleep, and they didn't manage," she lamented, highlighting the overwhelming humanitarian crisis facing Gaza's civilians.
