UN Declares 'Cataclysmic' Situation as Israeli Forces Advance in Gaza City

Sun Oct 19 2025 23:18:23 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A UN official described the ongoing situation in Gaza City as 'cataclysmic' amid Israeli tank advances, highlighting the humanitarian crisis as residents flee south.

The humanitarian situation in Gaza City has been labeled 'cataclysmic' by UN officials as Israeli military operations intensify. Thousands are displaced, and local hospitals are on the verge of collapse due to the overwhelming influx of injured civilians and lack of medical supplies. The Israeli military claims to be targeting terrorist infrastructure while the humanitarian concerns continue to rise amidst this conflict.

The situation in Gaza City is 'nothing short of cataclysmic', a UN official has reported amidst ongoing advances by Israeli tanks and troops in a ground offensive that is now in its third day.

Olga Cherevko, a spokeswoman from the UN's humanitarian office, has observed a continued movement of Palestinians towards the south, although she noted that hundreds of thousands still remain in the city. The World Health Organization also warned of collapsing hospitals due to the inability to deliver lifesaving supplies amidst the violence.

The Israeli military alleges it is dismantling terror infrastructure and eliminating threats in Gaza, asserting that their objectives include freeing hostages taken by Hamas and defeating a significant number of fighters in what they term the group's 'main stronghold'.

However, the military actions in Gaza City, which saw a population of around one million and was already facing famine, have drawn severe international condemnation. Cherevko indicated that the conditions observed were far from favorable, with many people unable to evacuate due to economic constraints.

Witnesses in Gaza City reported Israeli tanks in various residential neighborhoods following heavy bombardment. Local hospitals have reported numerous casualties due to the strikes.

The UN and its humanitarian partners have documented significant internal displacement, with at least 200,000 people fleeing to southern Gaza since mid-August. Cherevko recounted harrowing scenes of families struggling to find safety and shelter, often resorting to sleeping on streets with limited resources.

Additionally, local health officials described hospitals as overwhelmed, operating at occupancy rates reaching up to 300%. Alarmingly, critical healthcare infrastructure, including a pediatrics hospital, has been damaged by Israeli strikes.

The ongoing violence has forced women to give birth in the streets, and the international community continues to express outrage at the humanitarian implications of the conflict. The situation remains dire, with many families trapped and no clear pathway to safety.