Gaza apartment block collapse leaves 20 dead, many missing

Gaza authorities announced on Wednesday that an apartment building collapse in Gaza City has left at least 20 people dead, including five children, and dozens more missing. The six-story building, which housed four apartments per floor, collapsed overnight onto surrounding homes and tents in the Tal Al Hawa area. The civil defense agency, operating under Hamas authority, is managing rescue efforts.

Earlier Israeli strikes had damaged the structure, prompting warnings against returning to the building. Floods that struck Gaza in recent days have killed 12 people, straining the already difficult living conditions for Gaza residents. Over 2,000 buildings in Gaza are deemed at risk of collapsing due to prior Israeli strikes. Israel's ongoing military campaign, following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack, has resulted in the deaths of over 73,700 Palestinians.

The United Nations humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territories expressed deep concern over the risks faced by families living in these unsafe structures.