War-damaged Gaza building collapses, killing 20 people seeking shelter inside

• A war-damaged seven-storey building in Gaza collapsed, killing at least 20 people, including six children, and trapping many others; rescue efforts continue despite lack of proper equipment.
• About 2,000 damaged buildings house tens of thousands of Palestinians, with around 400 at risk of collapse, especially as winter approaches, raising urgent safety concerns.
• Restrictions on heavy machinery, blamed on Israeli curbs, hinder rescue and debris clearance; ongoing conflict persists despite a 2025 ceasefire, causing continued casualties and instability in Gaza.

CAIRO, GAZA – Gaza rescuers on Sept 16 combed through the wreckage of a bombed-out apartment building that collapsed overnight, killing at least 20 Palestinians, including children, and trapping dozens of others beneath the rubble.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians are living in some 2,000 buildings damaged by Israeli air strikes across Gaza.

Rescue workers from the civil defence said at least 20 people, including six children, were killed and 14 others injured when the seven-storey building collapsed.

Nearly 100 more people were believed to be trapped under the rubble.

A video obtained by Reuters showed rescue workers trying to pull out two people from under a collapsed wall.

Another video circulated on social media showed Gaza’s civil defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal carrying a little girl, wrapped in a blood-stained scarf.

Raed Al-Dahshan, director of Gaza City’s civil defence service, said at least 10 families lived in the collapsed building and there was still hope of finding survivors.

“We are still hearing voices from under the rubble, so there is still hope to find people,” said Dahshan.

Alessandro Mrakic, head of the UN Development Programme’s Gaza office, said rescuers from some UN agencies were taking part in the rescue efforts, which he described as difficult because of the lack of proper machinery.

Egypt’s relief agency was also taking part in rescue efforts.

“The situation, as you see, is tragic because we don’t have the equipment and machinery that is needed. So there are actually people who are digging with their bare hands. We need to prepare (for more deaths),” said Mrakic.

“There are approximately 400 buildings at risk of collapse. And we know that these buildings will collapse, especially now with the upcoming winter,” he added, referring to the potential impact of rain.

Machinery shortage

Palestinian and UN officials blame Israel’s restrictions on Gaza for the lack of heavy machinery in the territory.

Israel says its curbs aim to keep equipment out of the hands of militants.

“Today’s tragedy underscores the grave risks faced by families living in these structures and the urgent need for safer alternatives. No one should have to risk their life simply to find a safe place to shelter,” said Ramiz Alakbarov, UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Israel’s assault on Gaza – launched after Hamas’ deadly raid into Israel in October 2023 – has generated around 61 million tonnes of wreckage and debris that could take seven years to clear, according to the UN.

Dahshan warned residents to stay away from wrecked buildings because of the risk of collapse.

The local rescue service says about 2,000 damaged buildings are inhabited by families.

Many families have told Reuters in the past months that they resorted to living in partially damaged buildings to protect themselves against wind and rainstorms, and because of the lack of new tents for the homeless.

An October 2025 US-backed ceasefire halted large-scale fighting in Gaza, but it has not ended Israeli strikes and there has been little progress on steps towards permanent peace.

Hamas accuses Israel of violating the ceasefire and undermining efforts to implement US President Donald Trump’s broader plan to end the Gaza conflict, which includes an Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and the disarmament of Hamas.

Israel says Hamas has been violating the deal.

More than 1,300 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect, according to the territory’s health officials, while the Israeli military says four Israeli soldiers have been killed.

Hamas does not usually disclose information about fatalities among its fighters. REUTERS