Gaza Building Collapse Exposes Wider Risk: 400 More Buildings Could Fall

A Gaza building collapse has drawn new attention to the danger posed by thousands of war-damaged structures across the enclave after a seven-story apartment block housing displaced families fell overnight in western Gaza City, killing at least 12 people, including five children.

Gaza’s Civil Defence said the building had previously been damaged during the war and was being used by displaced families because of limited shelter alternatives. Rescue teams initially believed about 100 people could be trapped beneath the rubble.

Gaza Building Collapse Highlights Wider Structural Risk

Raed Al-Dahshan, director of Gaza City’s Civil Defence service, said about 10 families had been living inside the building. Rescuers reported hearing voices beneath the debris as teams continued searching for survivors.

Reuters reported that at least 12 people, including five children, were killed and 14 others injured. The Associated Press also reported at least 12 deaths as rescue operations continued for people missing or trapped beneath the wreckage.

The building had been damaged in an earlier Israeli strike during the war. It was not immediately clear what directly triggered the collapse overnight, although reports said the structure had already sustained significant damage.

Profile News previously covered Israeli strikes on Gaza City and their impact on residential areas, as many families continue to live in structures damaged during the conflict.

Hundreds of Buildings at Risk of Collapse

Alessandro Mrakic, head of the United Nations Development Programme’s Gaza office, said around 400 buildings were at risk of collapse, warning that the approaching winter could increase the danger facing already weakened structures.

Gaza’s Civil Defence estimates that families are still living in about 2,000 damaged buildings across the territory. Rescue officials said the shortage of alternative shelter has pushed residents back into cracked or partially destroyed homes rather than remaining in tents.

The rescue operation also highlighted the shortage of heavy equipment available to clear collapsed structures. Palestinian and U.N. officials said limited access to machinery was hampering efforts to reach people beneath the rubble. Reuters reported that some rescuers were digging through debris by hand.

Palestinian and U.N. officials blame Israeli restrictions for the shortage of heavy machinery entering Gaza. Israel says restrictions on some equipment are intended to prevent it from reaching militant groups.

Gaza Faces an Estimated 61 Million Tons of Debris

The United Nations estimates that the conflict has generated around 61 million tons of rubble and debris in Gaza, which could take years to clear. Damaged buildings that remain occupied present an immediate concern as families continue to seek shelter wherever space is available.

An earlier Profile News daily report documented continuing rubble-removal operations in Gaza and the recovery of bodies from destroyed buildings, underscoring the continuing effects of widespread structural damage.

As the search at the collapsed building continued, Civil Defence officials warned residents against remaining inside severely damaged structures. For many displaced families, however, shortages of shelter and rescue equipment continue to limit the available alternatives.

Report Sources: Profile News, Gaza Civil Defence, Reuters, Associated Press, Al Jazeera, United Nations Development Programme.