At least 12 killed after building in Gaza City damaged by Israeli strike…

A war-damaged building in Gaza City collapsed on Wednesday, killing at least 12 people according to some reports and up to 20 others in conflicting accounts, as rescuers struggled to free trapped families amid a dire humanitarian crisis. The incident underscores the escalating risks for Palestinians living in the enclave’s battered infrastructure, with displaced families forced to inhabit structurally compromised buildings due to a lack of alternatives.

Building collapse kills 12–20, with rescue efforts hampered by equipment shortages

The multi-story building, which had been struck by Israeli airstrikes during the war, collapsed in the Tal al-Hawa area of Gaza City, crushing tents housing displaced families nearby. Rescue teams recovered the bodies of five children among the victims, while 14 injured individuals were hospitalized, according to reports from Gaza’s civil defense. However, casualty figures varied widely across outlets, with the BBC and CBS News citing 20 deaths, while aol.co.uk and The Guardian reported 12 fatalities. At least 100 people, including 50 children, were believed to be trapped in the rubble.

“Search and rescue operations are being carried out under extremely difficult conditions due to a lack of the necessary equipment and resources,” said Mohammed Abu Dan, a supervisor with the civil defense team. Rescuers relied on borrowed machinery from the UN and Egypt, as Israeli restrictions on aid deliveries have left the territory without heavy equipment. “There are actually people digging with their bare hands,” said Alessandro Mrakic, head of the UN Development Programme’s Gaza office, warning that 400 other damaged buildings across Gaza are at risk of collapse.

The building, which housed 10 families before its collapse, had been deemed unsafe by local authorities. “The limited availability of shelter options forced residents to move into this building, believing it was safe,” said Raed al-Dahshan, director of Gaza City’s civil defense service. Witnesses reported the structure falling on tents where displaced families had sought refuge, amplifying the death toll.

Humanitarian crisis deepens as displaced families face daily risks

The collapse highlights the precarious existence of over 1.9 million displaced Palestinians, 1.2 million of whom live in tents or makeshift shelters. More than 80% of Gaza’s structures have been destroyed or damaged, according to the UN, leaving tens of thousands to inhabit unstable buildings. Families have returned to partially destroyed homes or abandoned structures, despite the danger, as soaring rents and land costs make safer housing unattainable.

“Yes, we are afraid, but where can we go? This is better than staying out on the street,” said a resident, reflecting the grim choices facing Gazans. The situation is exacerbated by Israeli restrictions on aid, which Palestinian and UN officials blame for the lack of machinery to support rescue efforts. Israel maintains that these restrictions aim to prevent equipment from reaching militant groups.

Since the fragile ceasefire took effect in October 2025, Israeli strikes have continued, killing 1,369 Palestinians and wounding 4,627, according to Gaza’s health ministry. The UN has accused Israel of committing genocide by targeting Palestinian children, a claim Israel denies. Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned that a full-scale war in Gaza may resume, stating the military is prepared to “finish the job” of displacing the population.

International calls for aid as winter approaches

With winter looming, the UN has urged Israel to allow deliveries of heavy machinery, tents, and other supplies to prevent further casualties. “We need support, most importantly with machinery,” Mrakic said, noting that rescue workers lack engine oil and spare parts. The UN also highlighted the risk of additional collapses during storms, as 70–100 people remain trapped in the rubble of the collapsed building.

The crisis has drawn global attention, with the UN and international agencies emphasizing the urgent need for humanitarian aid. However, political tensions, including Israel’s upcoming elections, have stalled progress on rebuilding efforts. Jared Kushner, a U.S. Mideast negotiator, recently linked the lack of progress to Israel’s electoral cycle, stating that the country’s “crazy election” has made it “a little irrational in certain regards.”

The collapse of the Gaza City building is the latest in a series of tragedies highlighting the enduring human cost of the conflict. As rescuers work under extreme conditions, the international community faces mounting pressure to address the humanitarian crisis, even as political and military tensions threaten to escalate further. With winter imminent, the urgency for aid and stability grows, even as the cycle of destruction continues.