Dozens Feared Trapped After Gaza Building Collapse; Aid Efforts Hampered

At least 14 Palestinians, including five children, died and 14 others were injured when a seven-story building collapsed in western Gaza City on Wednesday, September 16. The local civil defense estimates that around 100 people remain trapped under the rubble, according to Ynet. The building had been damaged by Israeli strikes during the war but was still inhabited by displaced Palestinians.

Rescue efforts are underway, with teams from UN agencies and an Egyptian aid agency participating. However, the head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in Gaza, Alessandro Mrakic, stated that the operation is hindered by a lack of necessary equipment, forcing rescuers to work with their bare hands. He warned that approximately 400 buildings are at risk of collapse, especially with winter approaching.

The collapsed building had reportedly sustained damage in 2004 and 2025 and residents were warned of the danger. However, due to widespread destruction and a severe housing shortage following Israeli airstrikes, many Palestinians are forced to live in damaged structures. Tens of thousands reside in approximately 2,000 buildings damaged during the conflict, with many returning to partially destroyed homes for shelter.

Gaza's civil defense chief, Raed al-Dahshan, urged residents to stay away from damaged homes, noting that limited shelter options led people to occupy the collapsed building, believing it to be safe. The UN estimates that the war has left around 61 million tons of debris in Gaza, with cleanup potentially taking seven years. Palestinian representatives and UN officials attribute the lack of heavy equipment to Israeli restrictions, which Israel states are necessary to prevent equipment from falling into the hands of terrorist organizations.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military (IDF) continues strikes against Hamas officials, reporting the elimination of Rafah Brigade commander Nail Abu-Obeid, described as a key figure responsible for directing terrorist activities. The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, called on Israel to allow international investigators into Gaza to gather evidence of alleged violations and war crimes, noting that the discovery of bodies under rubble raises concerns about such crimes.

US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee commented on the humanitarian situation, stating that 600-700 aid trucks enter Gaza daily and that Israel has provided a million polio vaccine doses. He questioned accusations of genocide given the aid flow and highlighted Hamas's failure to disarm since a ceasefire in October 2025.