Gaza Herald –The collapse of a war-damaged residential building in western Gaza City, killing at least 21 Palestinians, has exposed another deadly consequence of Israel’s destruction of the enclave, as thousands of families are forced to live in structurally unsafe buildings because they have nowhere else to go.
The six-storey Al-Saada building, which had previously been damaged by Israeli bombardment, collapsed early Wednesday while sheltering displaced families and other residents. At least 21 Palestinians were killed, while others were injured.
Gaza Municipality spokesperson Hosni Muhanna said the building had sustained damage during the war that left it cracked and structurally unstable. Displaced families had nevertheless sought shelter inside after fleeing deteriorating tent camps because they had no safe housing alternatives.
Rescue teams worked for hours to reach people trapped beneath the rubble, but severe shortages of heavy machinery and specialised equipment complicated the operation. Civil Defense crews and residents were forced to dig through parts of the debris using basic tools and their hands.
The collapse has highlighted a much broader danger across Gaza. Civil Defense officials have warned that more than 2,000 damaged residential buildings remain occupied and at risk of collapse, with families continuing to live inside because tents and other alternative shelters are inadequate.
Muhanna warned that the danger could worsen as winter approaches, particularly for Palestinians forced to choose between deteriorating tents and buildings weakened by previous Israeli attacks.
Gaza Municipality and Civil Defense officials have called for the urgent entry of heavy rescue machinery, rubble-removal equipment and temporary housing, warning that further deadly collapses are likely without immediate intervention.
The Gaza Municipality said the Al-Saada tragedy reflects a wider humanitarian emergency in which Palestinians who survived Israeli bombardment now face another threat from the damaged buildings in which they have been forced to seek shelter.
This report was produced in the Gaza Herald newsroom.
