Israeli military forces continue a ground offensive in Gaza City, now in its third day, with Israeli tanks and troops advancing through the area. Reports indicate that the situation in Gaza City is severe, with a significant number of civilians attempting to flee to the south. According to Olga Cherevko, a spokeswoman for the UN’s humanitarian office, many are traveling on foot, though hundreds of thousands remain in the north of the city.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms regarding hospitals in Gaza, citing they are on the verge of collapse due to overwhelming demand and restricted access to vital supplies. The Israeli military has articulated its goals as dismantling terrorist infrastructure and securing the release of hostages held by Hamas, with estimates suggesting the presence of 3,000 fighters in the city.
Since mid-August, over 200,000 individuals have reportedly crossed from northern to southern Gaza, with a marked increase of 55,000 people making the journey just this past weekend. Cherevko noted that conditions are dire, with many families arriving in southern areas with only minimal belongings. They often lack shelter and adequate resources, facing significant challenges in securing accommodation or safety.
The WHO’s director has highlighted that the conflict is creating an unsafe environment for vulnerable populations, including the injured and disabled, who cannot evacuate effectively. Currently, Gaza has around 1,790 hospital beds for a population of 2.1 million, resulting in extreme overcrowding in the limited medical facilities that remain operational.
The military offensive was initiated in response to a Hamas-led attack in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in extensive casualties. According to health ministry reports from Gaza, at least 65,141 individuals have died due to Israeli military actions since then.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y8l46m5evo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss