With reconstruction stalled, Gazans shelter in buildings at risk of collapse
The UN said about 84% of Gaza's structures had been damaged or destroyed by the war.
In Gaza City, Heba Arafat and her family reside in a building that has been severely damaged by Israeli airstrikes. The structure has collapsed inward at the ground floor, leaving the apartment tilted at an angle. Like many others in Gaza, Arafat is forced to live in a building that was either destroyed or severely damaged during the conflict.
According to the UN, 84% of all structures in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed by October 2025, and 2,000 buildings are at risk of collapsing. Last week, 21 people, including 12 children, died in Gaza City after a six-storey building collapsed following repeated Israeli airstrikes. Israel denies involvement in the construction of the building that collapsed.
The ongoing conflict has led to thousands of people being displaced and seeking shelter in damaged buildings, which pose a significant threat to their safety. The UN estimates that Gaza will require $71.4 billion in recovery and reconstruction spending over the next decade. However, progress on reconstruction efforts has been stalled, with Israel continuing to carry out airstrikes and restricting the entry of necessary equipment for the rebuilding process.
Written by urgent.news from Free Malaysia Today's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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