Early Wednesday morning, a war‑damaged six‑story residential building in Gaza’s Al‑Rimal neighborhood collapsed, killing at least 21 people, including 11 children, and leaving dozens more trapped under the rubble, local authorities said.
Rescue efforts underway
Gaza’s Civil Defense agency reported that around 100 residents are missing from the Al‑Sa’ada building. Search and rescue teams are working around the clock, but the scale of the disaster and ongoing Israeli airstrikes have hampered progress.
“People woke up at 3 a.m. to the screams and cries of children after the building fell on them,” said Civil Defense spokesman Mahmoud Basal. He warned that other structurally weakened buildings could suffer similar collapses, putting more displaced families at risk.
Humanitarian context
The United Nations estimates that roughly 80% of Gaza’s structures have been damaged since the conflict began, with two‑thirds destroyed. About 1.9 million Palestinians – roughly 90% of the population – have been displaced, many of them multiple times, as winter approaches.
Hamas’ media office blamed Israel for the tragedy, accusing it of obstructing rescue operations by refusing to allow sufficient entry of heavy equipment and other “dual‑use” supplies that could be repurposed for military use.
U.S. response
President Donald Trump’s Board of Peace, created to advance the U.S.‑brokered cease‑fire agreement, has called for an immediate increase in humanitarian aid and the swift delivery of rescue equipment to Gaza. While critics have questioned the board’s effectiveness, the administration maintains that its diplomatic efforts are essential for securing a lasting peace and ensuring aid reaches those in need.
“We must act decisively to protect innocent lives and provide the resources necessary for rescue teams,” a spokesperson for the Board of Peace said. The administration is urging Congress to approve additional funding for humanitarian assistance and to pressure all parties to allow unimpeded access for relief supplies.
Looking ahead
No significant reconstruction has taken place since the fragile cease‑fire was agreed last year. The UN warned in August that the percentage of damaged buildings continues to rise, underscoring the urgent need for durable shelter solutions.
As the international community watches, the focus remains on rescuing those still trapped, providing medical care to the injured, and preventing further collapses in a region already strained by conflict.
Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.
