Collapse of War-Damaged Building in Gaza Claims Lives of at Least 20 Palestinians

At least 20 Palestinians, including five children and several women, have died after a residential building damaged during the conflict with Israel in Gaza collapsed. According to Palestinian security forces, the six-story building fell on Wednesday. Dozens of people are reported to be trapped under the rubble. Witnesses say cries for help from children trapped beneath the debris have been heard. Civil defense teams are currently searching for survivors.

Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for Gaza’s civil defense, stated that rescue efforts to extract the dead and search for missing persons are ongoing. He warned that approximately 100 individuals may still be trapped beneath the building’s rubble. The rescue teams face significant difficulties due to a lack of proper equipment needed to reach those trapped. Local media reports indicate the building was damaged by Israeli airstrikes and was structurally weakened and fragmented.

Yahya Al-Sarraj, mayor of Gaza City, noted that numerous homes in the city have been damaged due to the ongoing conflict, emphasizing that this incident is neither the first nor likely the last. He also highlighted that rescue operations have been hampered by insufficient resources and equipment within the municipality and civil defense agencies. Gaza’s official media office has held Israel responsible for the incident. –With contributions from Al Jazeera