Gaza apartment block collapse kills 21, including 12 children

On Wednesday, Gaza authorities reported that an apartment building collapse in Gaza City claimed the lives of 21 people, including 12 children. The six-story building, situated in the Tal al-Hawa area, crumbled overnight, toppling onto nearby homes and tents. The rescue operation, conducted by the civil defence agency under Hamas authority, recovered the bodies of 21 individuals trapped under the rubble.

The vast majority of Gaza's buildings have suffered damage or destruction due to Israeli strikes throughout the ongoing war with Hamas. Al-Shifa Hospital, where some of the deceased were taken, witnessed a scene of mourning as men carried children's bodies wrapped in white shrouds. Relatives of the victims gathered, seeking closure amidst their grief.

Ahmed Al-Ajla, whose relatives perished in the collapse, lamented the continuous threat posed by unstable buildings, having already endured displacement, poverty, imprisonment, and loss. The civil defence agency stated that the building had been housing over 100 displaced people and had previously sustained damage from Israeli strikes in 2024 and March 2025.

Over 45 injured individuals were transported to the hospital. Despite warnings against returning to the damaged structures, Gazans continue to reside in precarious conditions due to a lack of alternative shelter. The International Committee of the Red Cross provided materials to support the search and rescue efforts, emphasizing the urgent need for safer living alternatives.

Israel initiated extensive strikes on Gaza following the Oct 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack, resulting in over 73,700 deaths, according to Gaza's Hamas-operated health ministry. Around 2,000 buildings in Gaza are identified as at risk of collapse, and although Israel has permitted limited aid entry post a US-brokered ceasefire, it persists in conducting strikes and restricting equipment deemed suitable for military purposes.