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War-damaged Gaza building collapses, killing 20 and trapping dozens
Reuters, Gaza
Published: 16 Sep 2026, 07:38 PM
Mourners pray during the funeral of Palestinians who were killed when a residential building that had been damaged in an earlier Israeli strike during the war collapsed, according to medics, at Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, 16 September 2026. Photo: REUTERS
Gaza rescuers on Wednesday searched 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 airstrikes across Gaza.
Rescue workers from Gaza's 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
under the rubble.
A video obtained by Reuters showed rescue workers trying to pull out two people from under a collapsed wall. Another video on social media showed Gaza's civil defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal carrying a little girl, wrapped in a blood-stained scarf.
Raed Al-Dahshan, the 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," said Dahshan.
Alessandro Mrakic, head of the UN Development Programme's
Gaza office, said some UN agencies were taking part in the rescue efforts,
which he described as difficult due to the lack of proper machinery. Egypt's
relief agency was also helping.
"The situation, as you see, is tragic because we don't
have the equipment and machinery that is needed. So there are actually people
that are digging with their bare hands," 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. 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 tons of wreckage
and debris that could take seven years to clear, according to the United
Nations.
Dahshan warned residents to stay away from wrecked buildings
due to 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.