Gaza City Grapples with Escalating Military Operations and 'Unthinkable' Famine, UN Warns

Gaza City is experiencing a period of intense military escalation and a deepening humanitarian catastrophe, as Israeli forces continue their offensive and international bodies warn of "horrific" consequences for its inhabitants. The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) has declared that "the unthinkable is already here" in Gaza City, a place described as a "city of fear, flight and funerals" by UNICEF's Communication Manager, Tess Ingram.

 Military Operations Intensify Amid Takeover Plans Israel has begun a planned military takeover of Gaza City, intensifying attacks that have reportedly killed dozens of people. The Israeli military claims to have established control over 40% of Gaza City, destroying dozens of buildings as the new offensive progresses. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office announced plans to take control of Gaza City on Thursday, a move that some families of Israeli hostages fear means "abandoning hostages". Meanwhile, Hamas released a video claiming to show two Israeli hostages held in Gaza City and stated it was ready for a comprehensive Gaza deal, a claim dismissed by Prime Minister Netanyahu who insists the war can only end on Israel's terms. Thousands of Israeli reservists reported for duty ahead of the Gaza City offensive.

Widespread Famine and Humanitarian Crisis A famine was declared in Gaza last month and has been confirmed by a UN-backed body. Aid agencies assert that Israel has systematically obstructed food from entering Gaza, contributing to the famine. Gaza residents describe a daily struggle to find food, water, and cooking fuel, with some lamenting that their youngest children "doesn't know what fruit tastes like". Over half a million people across Gaza are facing "starvation, destitution and death".

UNICEF highlights that nearly a million people remain in Gaza City, with essential services collapsing, leaving children "fighting for survival". Famine is "everywhere" in Gaza City, with nutrition clinics filled with tearful parents and children battling disease and malnutrition. The situation has led to tragedies like two-year-old Jouri dying from malnutrition, and her sister Jana "barely hanging on" after previously recovering from malnutrition following evacuation. Children often return to emergency wards weeks after treatment due to the ongoing lack of food and safe water.

Hospitals in Gaza City are "on their knees," with only 11 partly functioning and just five possessing neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). These 40 incubators are operating at up to 200 per cent capacity, meaning as many as 80 babies are "fighting for life in overcrowded machines," dependent on generators and supplies that could run dry. New footage has also revealed that Israel struck Gaza's Nasser Hospital four times, two more strikes than initially reported.

International Condemnation and Calls for Action The UN human rights office, OHCHR, has expressed extreme concern over intensifying Israeli military operations in northern Gaza, including Gaza City, warning of extensive destruction and increased civilian casualties. Between 26 August and 1 September, 816 Palestinians were reportedly killed, nearly doubling the previous week's fatalities. Many of the roughly one million Palestinians remaining in northern Gaza are unable to relocate as "there are no safe areas and movement is dangerous". The UN has also noted increasing reports of Israeli Government plans to "extend sovereignty" over or annex parts of the West Bank, warning of "catastrophic consequences" for Palestinians.

UNICEF is seeking $716 million for its response in Gaza, where childhood malnutrition is rising sharply, with admissions for treatment climbing from just over 2,000 in February to 13,000 by July. The agency calls on Israel to protect children and allow sufficient aid, and on Hamas to release remaining hostages.

Globally, protests have emerged in solidarity with Palestinians, with thousands attending demonstrations in Belfast and Londonderry to demand sanctions against Israel. The Scottish First Minister paused new funding for arms firms supplying Israel, citing evidence of genocide. The retail chain Lush also shut its UK stores for a day to protest Gaza starvation, hinting at similar actions worldwide.

Amidst this escalating crisis, Palestinian journalists face hardship and dangers while reporting on the war, described as being "exhausted, hungry, and scared". Meanwhile, Gaza scholars express frustration over the uncertainty of evacuation plans to the UK to pursue their studies.