Gaza City Under Fire: Catastrophic Human Crisis:
URDU AUDIO:
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza City has reached catastrophic levels as Israeli forces continue their ground offensive. For the third consecutive day, tanks and troops have been advancing deep into the city, while airstrikes pound multiple neighborhoods. The situation is being described by UN officials as “nothing short of cataclysmic,” with hospitals collapsing, families displaced, and civilians trapped in a war zone.
Constant Exodus from Gaza City
According to Olga Cherevko, spokesperson for the UN’s humanitarian office, thousands of Palestinians are making desperate attempts to flee southwards. Many are on foot, carrying nothing more than a mattress or a plastic bag, as transportation costs are unaffordable for most families. Despite the exodus, hundreds of thousands of civilians remain trapped inside Gaza City, unable to leave due to financial, physical, or safety constraints. Those who manage to escape often find themselves homeless, sleeping on the streets of Deir al-Balah or Khan Younis, with no shelter or basic necessities.
Escalating Israeli Military Offensive
The Israeli military has declared its mission is to dismantle Hamas infrastructure, defeat what it claims are 3,000 Hamas fighters, and rescue remaining hostages. On the ground, Israeli tanks have pushed into key neighborhoods such as Sheikh Radwan in the north and Tal al-Hawa in the south, areas that have witnessed heavy bombardment. Witnesses reported seeing Israeli forces detonating remotely driven vehicles filled with explosives, destroying homes and leaving families without shelter.
The Israeli chief of staff, Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, urged troops to “intensify the blows against Hamas” and decisively defeat its Gaza City brigade. However, the urban assault is taking an unbearable toll on civilians. The offensive has also sparked global condemnation, as Gaza’s population was already suffering from famine confirmed last month.
Hospitals on the Brink of Collapse
The healthcare system in Gaza is overwhelmed. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), hospitals are operating at 180 to 300% capacity. Of the 17 hospitals still partially functioning in Gaza, 10 are located in Gaza City. With only 1,790 available in-patient beds for a population of 2.1 million, patients are being treated in hallways and courtyards.
Al-Rantisi Children’s Hospital, the only specialized pediatric hospital left in Gaza, was struck by Israeli airstrikes earlier this week. Water tanks, power lines, and communication systems were damaged, forcing 40 patients to flee. Critically ill children, including four in intensive care and eight newborns, remain inside despite the ongoing danger.
The WHO has also warned that injured civilians, pregnant women, and disabled individuals cannot safely evacuate. The UN Population Fund has raised alarms that women are being forced to give birth in the streets, without access to clean water, medical staff, or sterile environments.
Humanitarian Conditions Worsen
The UN reports that more than 200,000 people have fled northern Gaza since mid-August, with 55,000 leaving in the last few days alone. Still, hundreds of thousands remain trapped in Gaza City. Many of the displaced are struggling to find food, water, or a place to sleep. Families who have fled describe wandering for days without finding any shelter.
Israeli bombardments continue to devastate infrastructure, destroying homes, roads, and supply routes. The WHO has been unable to deliver life-saving medical supplies due to escalating violence. Fuel shortages and damaged facilities have left hospitals without electricity or running water.
Civilian Deaths and Starvation
Local hospitals reported that at least 14 people were killed across Gaza on Thursday alone, including nine in Gaza City. Since the start of Israel’s campaign, the Gaza health ministry states that more than 65,141 Palestinians have been killed, with an additional 435 deaths linked to malnutrition and starvation. Four people reportedly died of hunger in just the last 24 hours, underscoring the urgency of the crisis.
The Israeli government maintains that its actions are necessary to ensure national security following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, which left 1,200 Israelis dead and 251 taken hostage. However, the scale of destruction in Gaza and the suffering of civilians are fueling global outrage and calls for an immediate ceasefire.
International Condemnation
Humanitarian organizations and governments worldwide have expressed alarm over the crisis in Gaza City. The UN and aid agencies stress that the ongoing bombardment, mass displacement, and collapse of health services represent violations of international humanitarian law. The lack of safe zones and the targeting of densely populated areas further heighten concerns about civilian casualties.
WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned the offensive, saying it is “forcing traumatized families into an ever-shrinking area unfit for human dignity.” He highlighted that those with injuries, chronic illnesses, or disabilities face near-certain death without access to proper medical care.
The Road Ahead
As the ground offensive intensifies, Gaza City faces one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history. Hundreds of thousands of civilians are trapped between advancing tanks and relentless airstrikes, while food and medical supplies are running out. With no safe passage, no functioning hospitals, and no guarantee of shelter, the population is left in desperation.
The UN and international community are calling for immediate humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to evacuate safely and for aid deliveries to reach hospitals and displaced families. Without urgent intervention, the already dire situation risks turning into an uncontainable catastrophe, with consequences that will reverberate far beyond Gaza.
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