Tragic Gaza Building Collapse Kills Over 20 People, Leaving Dozens Trapped Under Rubble

Rescue workers have recovered the bodies of victims from the rubble of a collapsed residential building in Gaza City following a disaster early Wednesday that local authorities report has killed more than 20 people, including several children, with dozens more feared trapped.

Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya, the director of al-Shifa hospital, told CNN that at least 21 individuals have died, including 11 children, while numerous others sustained injuries. Search and rescue operations remain underway at the site of the al-Sa’ada building located in the city’s Rimal neighborhood. According to Gaza’s Civil Defense agency, approximately 100 people are missing.

The six-story building, which features four apartments on each floor, was initially targeted by Israeli airstrikes at the start of the war in Gaza, the Civil Defense agency stated. These strikes followed the Hamas-led October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Data from the United Nations indicates that roughly 80 percent of all structures in Gaza have sustained damage since the conflict began, with two-thirds entirely destroyed, leaving Palestinians struggling to find safe shelter amid ongoing military actions and unexploded ordnance.

With winter approaching, the demand for shelter is critical. The UN reports that approximately 1.9 million Palestinians in Gaza—about 90% of the population—have been displaced during the war, with many facing displacement multiple times.

Hamas’ media office in Gaza stated that the building collapsed onto "dozens of displaced families who had been forcibly driven to seek shelter there, amid the complete absence of alternative and safe places of refuge." The office accused Israel of obstructing rescue efforts by refusing to permit the entry of necessary equipment, machinery, and supplies. Israel restricts the entry of items designated as "dual-use goods," arguing heavy equipment could be repurposed for military operations by Hamas.

Ramiz Alakbarov, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator for occupied Palestinian territory, urged that "urgent approvals" be granted for heavy machinery, engine oil, and fuel to enter Gaza. "No one should have to risk their life simply to find a safe place to shelter," he said.

Gaza’s Ministry of Housing reported that approximately 3,000 buildings in the territory are currently classified as "dangerous" or at risk of collapse due to structural damage and cracks from prior Israeli strikes. The ministry warned that these conditions present an immediate threat to thousands of families and issued a call for an immediate regional and international response.

"Since midnight in Gaza City, a tragic, painful scene has unfolded: a brutal humanitarian event, as you can see in front of you under this residential building, where dozens of innocent people were trapped," said Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal. He added that citizens woke up at 3 a.m. to screams and the crying of children after the structure completely collapsed, warning of potential further incidents in areas where citizens are currently sheltering.

No significant reconstruction has taken place in Gaza following a fragile ceasefire agreement reached last October between Hamas and Israel. The UN noted in late August that the proportion of damaged buildings in the territory has continued to rise.

This remains a developing story and will be updated as further information becomes available.