Building Collapse in Gaza Results in At Least 20 Deaths

At least 20 people, including five children, have died and dozens are missing after a building in the Gaza Strip collapsed. Rescue teams reported that the six-storey building in the Tal al-Hawa area fell down, with locals stating that approximately 10 families were living there despite warnings about its safety. Members of the Hamas-run Civil Defence rescue service indicated that they initially lacked equipment due to Israeli restrictions but later received heavy machinery from UN agencies and Egyptian relief workers. Raed al-Dahshan, the director of the Civil Defence in Gaza City, mentioned that rescuers were still hearing voices from under the rubble, indicating that there may still be survivors. Alessandro Mrakic, head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Gaza office, estimated that between 70 and 100 people could be trapped. He noted the tragic situation due to a lack of necessary equipment and machinery, with some rescuers digging with their bare hands. Mrakic also highlighted that around 400 other war-damaged buildings in Gaza are at risk of collapse as winter approaches. The UN's humanitarian relief coordinator, Ramiz Alakbarov, called on Israeli authorities to allow the delivery of heavy machinery and supplies for displaced individuals. Israel stated that its restrictions are intended to prevent equipment from reaching Palestinian armed groups. Currently, about 1.2 million people in Gaza are living in tents or makeshift shelters. The UN estimates that 80% of structures in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has displaced approximately 1.9 million people. Despite a ceasefire agreed upon in October, the humanitarian situation remains critical, with continued Israeli air strikes causing casualties and further displacement. On Tuesday, Israeli air strikes reportedly killed at least five Palestinians, including two children and a Hamas commander. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) confirmed the deaths of a Hamas commander and another fighter, with reports of child casualties in both incidents. Additionally, a patient was reportedly killed by an Israeli drone at a health center supported by the British charity Medical Aid for Palestinians, although the IDF stated it was unaware of such an incident. The conflict escalated following a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths and 251 hostages taken. Since then, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza has reported over 73,790 fatalities in the territory, figures that the UN considers reliable.