A war-damaged building in Gaza City collapsed early Wednesday, killing at least 21 people, including 11 children, as displaced families faced perilous living conditions amid stalled reconstruction efforts and ongoing Israeli military operations.
Collapse of a War-Damaged Building Killed 21, Including 11 Children
The collapse of a multistory building in Gaza City’s al-Saada neighborhood on Wednesday claimed the lives of at least 21 people, including 11 children, according to multiple sources. The structure, which had been damaged in earlier Israeli strikes, was housing six displaced families who had moved there after being displaced from their homes in Shujayea and Deir el-Balah. We never expected this tragedy. The whole family is either dead or injured,
said Hayat al-Ajlah, a survivor whose extended family lost nine members in the collapse Al Jazeera.
Survivors described the moment the building came down. I woke up to check my phone,
al-Ajlah said. Suddenly, I heard a sound like something cracking. It felt like something was falling from underneath us.
Her 74-year-old father and 12-year-old son were among those killed. My father and mother’s voices disappeared because they were in the part where the floors collapsed on top of each other,
she said. We were closer to the side of the building that tilted, so we survived by a miracle.
Al Jazeera reported that nine members of her extended family were killed, including her parents, four siblings, and three nephews and nieces.
The Gaza Health Ministry confirmed 21 fatalities, with at least 14 people injured. The death toll is expected to rise as rescuers continue searching through the debris.
Rescue Efforts Hampered by Lack of Heavy Machinery
Rescue operations were severely hindered by a lack of heavy machinery, a direct result of Israeli restrictions on imports into Gaza. Palestinian Civil Defence teams relied on basic tools to extract survivors and bodies from the rubble, with one rescuer describing the work as “bare-hands” efforts. The search operation has been prolonged by a severe shortage of heavy machinery and other essential equipment,
Al Jazeera reported. Palestinian Civil Defence said its teams had worked for hours to reach people trapped beneath the building, but had been forced to rely on limited and basic tools.
The U.N. has blamed Israel’s restrictions on Gaza for the lack of heavy machinery, stating that the blockade has left displaced families with no choice but to live in unstable structures. Today’s tragedy underscores the grave risks faced by families living in these structures and the urgent need for safer alternatives,
said Ramiz Alakbarov, the U.N. humanitarian coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory NBC News. No one should have to risk their life simply to find a safe place to shelter.
Israel has maintained that its restrictions aim to prevent heavy machinery from falling into the hands of militant groups. However, the lack of equipment has left rescue efforts in disarray. However, at one point it collapsed entirely, tragically crashing down on people as they slept.
Families Desperate for Safe Shelter Amid Ongoing Conflict
Many families in Gaza have been forced to live in damaged buildings due to the lack of alternatives. We were closer to the side of the building that tilted, so we survived by a miracle,
said al-Ajlah, who had moved into the building after leaving a tent in Deir el-Balah. My father’s friend told him there was an empty apartment on the third floor. It was severely damaged, but my family wanted to get out of the tent and escape its harsh conditions.
Al Jazeera reported that the family had returned to Gaza City just two months prior, hoping to find stability.
The collapse comes as conditions in Gaza continue to deteriorate. In August, the U.N. stated that approximately 82% of structures in Gaza—about 200,000 buildings—had been damaged, with two-thirds of them completely destroyed. The destruction of buildings has increased by nearly 10% since the so-called ceasefire began in October 2025,
Truthout reported. Since then, global attention and pressure on Israel has waned, even as the genocide has continued and conditions of life in Gaza have further deteriorated.
Displaced families have also been struggling with overcrowded camps and unsanitary conditions. In Khan Younis, footage showed families dealing with rats, scorpions, and other pests amid damaged sanitation systems. The U.N. said in April that rodents and other pests were frequently observed at 80 per cent of displacement sites Yahoo.
International Response and the Path Forward
The collapse has reignited calls for international intervention to address Gaza’s humanitarian crisis. Euro-Med Monitor urged the international community to pressure Israel to allow reconstruction materials and caravans into Gaza, stating, Displaced Palestinians need safe places to live, and they need them now.
Truthout reported. The building collapse in Gaza should be enough of a wake-up call for the international community to pressure Israel to allow reconstruction materials and caravans into Gaza.
Meanwhile, the U.S. has continued to support Israel militarily. The aid has drawn criticism from humanitarian groups, who argue that it exacerbates the suffering in Gaza.
Much of Gaza has been flattened by Israeli bombing or demolition and clearing by heavy machinery and explosives.
As Gaza continues to grapple with the aftermath of the collapse, the lack of progress on reconstruction and the ongoing conflict leave families in a state of uncertainty. With 90% of Gaza’s population displaced and few safe options, the tragedy underscores the urgent need for international action to address the humanitarian crisis.