Bombed-out Gaza building collapses, killing 12 people seeking shelter inside

On September 16, a bombed-out apartment building in Gaza City collapsed, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 12 Palestinians, including five children. Rescue workers were on the scene, working tirelessly to extricate survivors from the rubble. The seven-story building, which housed about 10 families, had been weakened by a previous Israeli strike.

Rescue teams from UN agencies and Egypt's relief agency were participating in the rescue efforts, but their progress was hindered by a lack of appropriate machinery. According to Alessandro Mrakic, head of the UN Development Programme's Gaza office, approximately 400 buildings remain at risk of collapsing, especially as winter approaches.

Palestinian and UN officials attribute the shortage of heavy machinery to Israel's restrictions on Gaza. The UN estimates that Israel's recent assault on Gaza has produced around 61 million tons of wreckage and debris, which could take seven years to clear. Raed Al-Dahshan, the director of Gaza City’s civil defence service, cautioned residents to avoid damaged buildings due to the risk of further collapse.

Despite the US-backed ceasefire in October 2025, Israeli strikes have continued, and the situation in Gaza remains precarious, with more than 1,300 Palestinians killed and four Israeli soldiers killed since the ceasefire took effect.