Israeli military forces have pushed into the heart of Gaza City, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict with Hamas, as a staggering 1.7 million Palestinians—nearly three-quarters of the territory's population—have been forced to flee their homes.
The humanitarian situation has reached a critical tipping point, with the United Nations describing it as a 'code red' emergency. A complete communications blackout, now in its second day, has severely hampered aid coordination and left families cut off from the outside world.
A City Under Siege
Residents remaining in Gaza City reported intense bombardment and the advancement of Israeli tanks into urban areas. The Israeli military has focused its operations on what it identifies as Hamas strongholds, including the densely populated Shati refugee camp.
"The amount of pain and loss and trauma is unprecedented, unparalleled," stated Juliette Touma, director of communications for UNRWA, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees.
Mounting Humanitarian Catastrophe
The sheer scale of displacement is overwhelming. The vast majority of those uprooted are now crammed into UN-run schools-turned-shelters or with extended family in southern Gaza, facing severe shortages of everything.
- Food and Water: Supplies are desperately scarce, with many surviving on just one meal a day.
- Medical Collapse: Hospitals are on the verge of shutdown, lacking power, supplies, and safe operating conditions.
- Sanitation Crisis: Overcrowded conditions have led to the spread of diseases like chickenpox, scabies, and diarrhoea.
Philippe Lazzarini, commissioner-general of UNRWA, warned that the continued displacement of people and the collapse of humanitarian services is "pushing the civilians and our operations to the breaking point."
The Elusive Search for Safety
Despite Israeli evacuation orders, safety remains a mirage for civilians. Airstrikes have continued in the southern zones, areas designated as safe, resulting in numerous casualties. The head of the World Health Organisation denounced the situation, stating, "Nowhere is safe in Gaza."
With the communications blackout entering its second day, aid agencies are struggling to coordinate convoys and assess needs, deepening the crisis for a population trapped in a war zone.
