At least 21 people, including eight children, have died after a war-damaged building collapsed in the Gaza Strip overnight, according to rescuers and medical officials.
The six-storey structure, located in Gaza City's Tal al-Hawa area, had reportedly been tilting dangerously since an Israeli strike more than a year ago. Witnesses told the BBC that displaced families, desperate for shelter, had been living inside despite its precarious condition.
Rescue operations, involving the Hamas-run Civil Defence agency, alongside UN and Egyptian teams, were hampered by a severe lack of equipment. Initial efforts saw rescuers attempting to find survivors using only their bare hands. On Wednesday afternoon, officials confirmed the operation had concluded, with 45 injured individuals transported to hospitals.
Sherif, whose sister was among those killed, stated, "They couldn't find a tent or somewhere to live. This was the last place they could turn to, despite the danger. They were aware that it would likely end in tragedy. A lack of resources drove them towards certain death." Locals reported that approximately 10 families had been residing in the building despite warnings regarding its instability.
Umm Mohammed Bakrun, who lives in a nearby tent, recounted speaking with her son when the building suddenly collapsed in the early hours of Wednesday. "It felt like an earthquake. There was a loud sound and I couldn't stand up. Stones rained down on us and when I looked outside I saw a lot of dust," she told the BBC. "Within minutes, there were screams everywhere."
Another witness, Mansour Abu Mohammed, described the collapse as happening "in a few seconds." He added, "Every day, a stone or a few stones would fall from it, but the people inside couldn't find anywhere else to live. I used to live next door to it and you could see that it was tilting to one side."
Satellite imagery confirms that the surrounding area was targeted in the early stages of the war, with damage to the building itself becoming apparent in 2024.
Alessandro Mrakic, head of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Gaza office, speaking at the scene on Wednesday morning, underscored the dire situation. "The situation... is tragic because we don't have the equipment and machinery that is needed," he said. Mr Mrakic warned that an estimated 400 other war-damaged buildings across Gaza faced an imminent risk of collapse, a threat amplified by the approaching winter. He appealed for support, particularly for machinery, equipment, engine oil, and spare parts, noting that existing equipment in Gaza was difficult to maintain.
The UN's humanitarian relief co-ordinator, Ramiz Alakbarov, expressed his devastation over the reports of the collapse. "No-one should have to risk their life simply to find a safe place to shelter," he stated. Mr Alakbarov urged Israeli authorities to approve the delivery of heavy machinery for rescue operations into Gaza, along with tents, tarpaulins, and other non-food items essential for displaced people ahead of the winter rains.
Israel maintains that its restrictions on such equipment are intended to prevent its use by Palestinian armed groups for military purposes.
The UN estimates that approximately 80% of all structures in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. More than 1.9 million people, representing about 90% of the territory's population, have been displaced, often multiple times, with 1.2 million currently living in tents or makeshift shelters.
The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains severe, despite a ceasefire agreed last October. Israeli air strikes and other attacks continue to affect populated areas, causing casualties and property damage, and leading to further displacement.
On Tuesday, Israeli air strikes reportedly killed at least five Palestinians, including two children and a Hamas commander, according to health officials and Hamas sources. The Israeli military confirmed it had killed a Hamas commander in southern Gaza and another fighter in the north, noting that a child was also reportedly killed in both incidents. Separately, the British charity Medical Aid for Palestinians reported that a patient was killed by an Israeli drone at a health centre it supports in Jabalia in northern Gaza, an incident which a spokesperson for the Israeli military told the BBC it was not aware of.
The Gaza war commenced following the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on 7 October 2023, during which approximately 1,200 people were killed and 251 others taken hostage. Since then, more than 73,790 people have been killed in Gaza, according to figures from the territory's Hamas-run health ministry, which are considered reliable by the UN.
