Building collapse in Gaza kills 19 as perilous conditions persist for Palestinians during truce

Scores trapped under rubble after Israeli-hit building collapses in Gaza City

A residential building in western Gaza City collapsed on Wednesday night, killing at least 11 people and trapping dozens more, including numerous children, under the debris. The six-storey structure on al-Sinaa Street had previously been damaged by Israeli strikes, prompting many families to take shelter inside. Among the casualties were five children.

Rescue teams, struggling with limited heavy machinery due to Israel's destruction of construction equipment, are working tirelessly to locate survivors. Over 70 people remain trapped, with the identity of around 100 others still unknown. The Palestinian Civil Defence agency reported that the fate of those still buried remains uncertain.

The collapsed building is one of an estimated 2,000 in the Gaza Strip at risk of collapse following Israeli attacks. Despite the ongoing danger, many residents continue to inhabit these structures with dwindling alternatives. The UN estimates that nearly 94 percent of Gaza's 2.2 million inhabitants have been internally displaced due to Israel's brutal genocidal campaign.