Gaza Apartment Building Collapse Kills 21, Dozens Rescued
A war-damaged apartment building collapsed in Gaza City, killing 21 Palestinians and leaving dozens trapped beneath the rubble, according to Palestinian officials and rescue workers.
The six-storey building in the Tal al-Hawa area had previously been damaged by Israeli strikes and was being used as shelter by displaced families. More than 100 people had reportedly been living in the building before it collapsed overnight.
Gaza Civil Defense teams recovered 21 bodies and rescued 45 people from beneath the rubble. Rescue officials said children were among those killed, while many of the injured were also children.
The building had reportedly been struck several times during the war, including in 2024 and March 2025. Residents had been warned about the danger, but many returned because of a severe shortage of tents and alternative housing.
Rescue operations were made more difficult by shortages of heavy machinery and other equipment. Palestinian and UN officials have raised concerns about restrictions affecting the entry of equipment needed to clear rubble and repair damaged structures.
The collapse highlights the continuing danger faced by displaced Palestinians living in damaged buildings. Gaza's Civil Defense has identified around 2,000 structures across the territory that are at risk of collapse.
Nearly a year after a ceasefire reduced major fighting, reconstruction in Gaza remains limited, while millions of Palestinians continue to live in tents or damaged and overcrowded buildings.
