Building collapse in Gaza city kills 5, scores missing
Locals inspect the scene in front of a house damaged by an Israeli strike in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, Palestine. File photo: Reuters.
At least five Palestinians were killed after a residential building collapsed in the western part of Gaza City. Scores of people remain trapped beneath the rubble, according to the Palestinian Civil Defense.
The building was housing displaced families, with the Palestinian Quds News Network reporting that six displaced families were staying inside the structure.
Palestinian Civil Defense rescue teams are actively working to reach those trapped under the debris. The building had previously been damaged by Israeli shelling.
A video obtained by Al Jazeera shows local residents sifting through debris to rescue a crying child trapped underneath. Reports from Al Jazeera confirm that several other children are also trapped under the rubble.
Rescue operations are ongoing. It remains unclear how many of those trapped are alive or the exact total of missing individuals.
According to United Nations data, approximately 200,000 structures in Gaza—roughly 82 percent of all buildings—have been damaged or destroyed since October 7, 2023. Statista estimates a similar figure, reporting around 81 percent of buildings affected.
About 92 percent of residential buildings and homes have been damaged or completely destroyed. Hospitals, schools, places of worship, and agricultural infrastructure have also suffered severe damage, generating over 61 million tonnes of rubble across Gaza.
(Source: Al Jazeera)
