A damaged building collapses in Gaza, killing at least 12 people and other Mideast developments

A building housing displaced Palestinian families in Gaza City collapsed on Wednesday, resulting in at least 12 fatalities, including four children. The structure, which had been damaged during the Israel-Hamas conflict, was warned to be unsafe. The catastrophic event occurred in a city where numerous multistory buildings have frequently collapsed amid the ongoing war, particularly during winter weather.

Simultaneously, Saudi Arabia's military announced the interception of a drone that posed a threat to the country's holy city, Mecca. The drone was shot down by Saudi air defenses before entering the city's airspace. Mecca, a significant pilgrimage site for Muslims, is considered a sacred location. Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen denied involvement in the attack, but the incident sparked condemnations worldwide.