Gaza Building Collapse Kills 12, Traps Dozens Under Rubble

searched through the wreckage of a collapsed apartment building in Gaza City on Wednesday after the structure gave way overnight.

At least 12 Palestinians died, including five children, while 14 others suffered injuries, Gaza Civil Defence officials said. Nearly 100 people were believed to remain trapped under the rubble.

The building had sustained damage during the Gaza conflict. Displaced families later moved into the structure because they lacked safer shelter options.

Rescuers Search for Survivors

Civil Defence teams worked through the debris as relatives and residents waited for news of missing family members.

Raed Al-Dahshan, director of Gaza City’s Civil Defence service, said at least 10 families had lived in the building. He said rescuers could still hear voices beneath the rubble.

“We are still hearing voices from under the rubble, so there is still hope to find people,” Dahshan said.

Reuters footage showed rescue workers attempting to pull two people from beneath a collapsed wall. Another video showed Gaza Civil Defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal carrying an injured young girl from the scene.

Rescue Efforts Face Equipment Shortages

Alessandro Mrakic, head of the UN Development Programme’s Gaza office, said some UN agencies were assisting the rescue operation.

However, the teams faced severe shortages of heavy machinery. Some rescuers had to dig through the debris by hand.

Mrakic also warned that hundreds of other damaged buildings remain at risk.

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“There are approximately 400 buildings at risk of collapse,” he said. He added that the danger could increase as winter approaches.

Palestinian and UN officials have blamed restrictions on the entry of heavy equipment for slowing rescue and recovery work.

Thousands of Damaged Buildings Remain Occupied

The collapse has renewed concerns over families living inside damaged structures across Gaza.

Civil Defence officials estimate that around 2,000 damaged buildings remain inhabited by families. Many residents moved into partially damaged homes because tents and other shelter options remain limited.

Dahshan urged residents to stay away from unsafe structures.

He said some families believed the collapsed building offered protection from wind and rain. Instead, the structure collapsed while people were sleeping.

Gaza Faces Massive Rubble Crisis

The United Nations estimates that the conflict has generated about 61 million tonnes of rubble across Gaza. UNDP has said clearing most of the debris could take about seven years under the right conditions.

The scale of destruction has also created major challenges for reconstruction. A joint UN, EU and World Bank assessment estimates Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction needs at $71.4 billion over the next decade.

Meanwhile, humanitarian agencies continue to warn about shelter shortages as winter approaches.

Ceasefire Has Not Ended Violence

A US-backed ceasefire that took effect in October 2025 halted large-scale fighting. However, Israeli strikes and other violence have continued in Gaza, according to Reuters.

Hamas has accused Israel of violating the ceasefire. Israel has also accused Hamas of breaching the agreement.

The continuing violence, combined with damaged infrastructure and limited rescue equipment, has left many Gaza residents facing ongoing risks from unstable buildings.