At least 20 Killed in Gaza Residential Building Collapse, Dozens Still Missing
A six-story residential building in Gaza City collapsed early Wednesday, killing at least 20 people, including children, and leaving around 100 residents unaccounted for.
A war-damaged six-story residential building in Gaza City's Al-Rimal district collapsed early Wednesday, killing at least 20 people, among them several children, according to local authorities. Gaza's Civil Defense agency said roughly 100 residents are missing and rescue teams are searching for survivors amid the rubble.
The structure, which housed four apartments per floor, had been hit by Israeli airstrikes at the start of the conflict that began after the October 7 attacks in 2023. The UN estimates that about 80% of Gaza's buildings have been damaged, with two-thirds destroyed, forcing nearly 1.9 million Palestinians—around 90% of the population—to seek shelter elsewhere.
Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal described the incident as a "tragic, painful scene" and warned that further collapses could occur in areas where displaced families are sheltering. Hamas' media office blamed Israel for hindering rescue efforts, claiming the blockade on "dual-use" equipment limits the delivery of heavy machinery needed for recovery.
The collapse adds to concerns about the safety of thousands of structurally compromised buildings that continue to house displaced residents as winter approaches.