20 dead, dozens missing after war-damaged apartment block collapses in Gaza

Gaza rescuers on Wednesday searched through the wreckage of a bomb-damaged apartment building that collapsed overnight in Gaza City. The incident killed at least 20 Palestinians, including five children, and left nearly 100 people feared trapped under the rubble.The seven-storey building collapsed in the Tal al-Hawa area, where at least 10 families were living. Fourteen people were injured in the collapse, while rescue workers continued searching for survivors.Raed Al-Dahshan, director of Gaza City's civil defence service, said rescuers could still hear people beneath the debris."We are still hearing voices from under the rubble, so there is still hope to find people," said Dahshan.Video obtained by Reuters showed rescue workers trying to pull two people from beneath a collapsed wall. Another video circulating on social media showed Gaza civil defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal carrying a young girl wrapped in a blood-stained scarf.Rescue efforts have been slowed by a lack of heavy machinery and other equipment needed to clear the rubble safely. Residents have also joined civil defence teams in digging through the debris by hand.Alessandro Mrakic, head of the UN Development Programme's Gaza office, said rescuers from some UN agencies were involved in the operation, along with Egypt's relief agency."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. We need to prepare (for more deaths)," said Mrakic.Mrakic said hundreds of other buildings were also at risk."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.The collapse has highlighted the dangers facing thousands of Palestinians who have moved into damaged buildings because of a severe shortage of shelters and tents. Gaza's local rescue service estimates that about 2,000 damaged buildings are still inhabited by families.Dahshan said at least 10 families had been living in the collapsed building and warned residents against entering damaged structures."The limited availability of shelter options forced residents to move into this building, believing it was safe. However, at one point it collapsed entirely, tragically crashing down on people as they slept," said Dahshan.Many families have told Reuters in recent months that they were living in partially damaged buildings to protect themselves from wind and rain. The shortage of new tents has also left many people with few alternatives.Palestinian and UN officials have blamed Israeli restrictions on the entry of heavy machinery for the difficulties faced by rescue teams. Israel says the restrictions are intended to prevent such equipment from reaching militant groups.The building collapse is also part of a wider problem across Gaza, where thousands of structures have been damaged or partially destroyed during the war. The UN estimates that Israel's assault on Gaza, launched after Hamas' deadly attack on Israel in October 2023, has generated around 61 million tonnes of rubble and debris. It could take seven years to clear it.An October 2025 US-backed ceasefire halted large-scale fighting in Gaza, but Israeli strikes have continued and negotiations over a lasting peace have made little progress.Hamas has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire and obstructing US President Donald Trump's broader plan to end the conflict. The plan includes an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the disarmament of Hamas. Israel, meanwhile, has accused Hamas of violating the agreement.More than 1,300 Palestinians, mostly civilians, have been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire took effect, according to health officials in the territory. The Israeli military says four Israeli soldiers have been killed during the same period.Hamas does not usually disclose information on fatalities among its fighters.Catch the latest World News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.