Gaza War Scarred Building Give Way, 21 Dead Eight Children Among Victims

At least 21 people, including eight children, have been killed after a six storey building in Gaza City collapsed overnight, according to local rescuers and medics. Dozens of people are also believed to be missing, with rescue teams continuing to search through the debris. The building, located in the Tal al Hawa area of Gaza City, had reportedly been left dangerously tilted following an Israeli strike more than a year ago. Witnesses told the BBC that displaced families had moved into the structure despite its damaged condition because they had few alternatives for shelter. Rescue Efforts Hampered by Lack of Equipment UN agencies and an Egyptian team have joined the search for survivors, but the operation has been slowed by a severe shortage of heavy machinery and other rescue equipment. During the initial response, members of the Hamas run Civil Defence agency were forced to search through the rubble using their bare hands. Raed al Dahshan, director of Civil Defence in Gaza City, said rescuers were still hearing voice beneath the debris, raising hopes that some people could be found alive. He said the lack of available shelter had pushed residents to occupy the damaged building, which they believed could provide a place to stay. Alessandro Mrakic, head of the UN Development Programme Gaza office, said between 70 and 100 people were believed to be trapped beneath the rubble. He described the rescue situation as extremely difficult because the necessary equipment and machinery were not available. Residents Had Seen Signs of Danger Residents living near the building said there had been visible warning signs before the collapse. Mansour Abu Mohammed, a local resident, told the BBC that stones had reportedly fallen from the building regularly and that its dangerous tilt was clearly visible. He said people continued living there because they had nowhere else to go. Local residents estimated that around 10 families had been living in the building apartments. Another witness, Umm Mohammed Bakrun, who was staying in a nearby tent, described the moment the structure collapsed. She said the impact felt like an earthquake, followed by falling debris, dust and screams from people in the surrounding area. Damage Dating Back to Earlier Fighting Satellite imagery indicates that the wider area was targeted during the early weeks of the war, while visible damage to the building itself was first identified in 2024. The collapse illustrates the continuing danger posed by damaged infrastructure in Gaza, where displaced civilian may be forced to shelter in buildings whose structural condition is uncertain. With dozens still potentially trapped, rescue worker and international teams are continuing effort to locate survivors despite the limited availability of machinery and other essential equipment.