“When Gaza burned, children starved, hospitals collapsed – did you act?”

In a harrowing briefing delivered on September 12, 2025, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, Olga Cherevko, spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in Gaza, painted a grim picture of the escalating humanitarian disaster in the Gaza Strip.

Cherevko described how, in a single day, Gaza City was effectively handed a death sentence: civilians were ordered to evacuate or face certain death. Hundreds of thousands of exhausted and terrified residents were directed to flee to already overcrowded areas, where even small animals struggle to find space. Hospitals, overwhelmed and under-resourced, have resorted to housing patients in hallways and balconies. Basic necessities like clean water and nutritious food have become scarce commodities, with many residents dreaming of access to such essentials. The constant threat of bombings looms large, making survival increasingly uncertain.

Unyielding Destruction

The situation is further exacerbated by the relentless military actions surrounding Gaza. To the west, the sea, framed by Israeli warships, threatens to engulf tattered tents as tides rise. To the east, north, and south, ground forces and tanks tighten their grip, while drones and fighter jets circle above, creating an atmosphere where no place feels safe. The deafening sounds of war serve as a constant reminder of the perilous reality faced by civilians.

Cherevko shared a poignant account of a friend’s family caught in the crossfire. An 8-year-old cousin was killed in an Israeli strike while waiting for bread to finish baking. His two-year-old daughter, having known nothing but war in her short life, now seeks shelter under a table in her father’s community kitchen, which continues to feed thousands daily despite the surrounding dangers. This personal tragedy underscores the widespread suffering and the urgent need for international intervention.

A Call for Global Action

Despite the overwhelming challenges, Cherevko highlighted the resilience and determination of the people of Gaza. Palestinian doctors, nurses, and paramedics work tirelessly, often without pay, medicine, or electricity. Aid workers from UN agencies, the Red Crescent, and various NGOs deliver food, medicine, and clean water under fire. Ordinary citizens share what little they have, embodying the enduring human spirit in the face of adversity.

However, hope alone is insufficient to address the crisis. Cherevko emphasized the necessity for urgent decisions that pave the way to lasting peace. This includes an immediate and sustained ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, protection for all civilians, and unfettered humanitarian access to all areas of Gaza. The international community must act decisively to prevent further loss of life and to restore dignity and hope to the people of Gaza.

The full briefing by Olga Cherevko is available on the OCHA oPt website.

©TNPP