# Building collapse in Gaza City kills at least 21

> Rescuers dig through rubble with bare hands as dozens remain trapped in previously damaged structure.
- Title: Building collapse in Gaza City kills at least 21 | Shortify
- Summary: Rescuers dig through rubble with bare hands as dozens remain trapped in previously damaged structure. Thousands of Palestinians are living in buildings…
- Keywords: gaza city, gaza, israel, palestine, building collapse, displaced families, rescue operations, israeli strikes, civil defence, benjamin netanyahu, israel-gaza war, news
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/world/2026/sep/16/building-gaza-city-damaged-israeli-strikes-collapses-killed
- Published: 2026-09-16T16:36:15+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: gaza city, gaza, israel, palestine, building collapse, displaced families, rescue operations, israeli strikes, civil defence, benjamin netanyahu, israel-gaza war, news
## Building collapse kills 21
A damaged building housing 100 displaced families collapsed in Gaza City, killing at least 21 people including 11 children. Rescuers are digging through rubble with bare hands.
## Previously hit by strikes
The multistorey building had been struck by Israeli attacks during the war, badly weakening its structure. It fell onto tents housing displaced families beside it.
## Voices heard under rubble
Rescuers recovered bodies of five children and took 25 injured to hospital. Medical sources said they could hear voices of people still trapped beneath the debris.

> We are still hearing voices from under the rubble, so there is still hope to find people.
## No heavy machinery available
Palestinian and UN officials blame Israeli restrictions for the lack of equipment. Israel says restrictions prevent machinery from reaching militant groups.

> There are actually people that are digging with their bare hands. We need to prepare [for more deaths].
## 2,000 damaged buildings across Gaza
The collapse highlights danger facing tens of thousands living in an estimated 2,000 buildings damaged by Israeli airstrikes. Similar incidents have occurred repeatedly.
## Nowhere else to go
Families stay in damaged buildings because no other shelter is available. Soaring rents and cost of vacant land make finding safer accommodation increasingly difficult.

> Yes, we are afraid, but where can we go? This is better than staying out on the street.
## Strikes continue despite ceasefire
Israeli strikes on Gaza have continued despite the ceasefire. 1,369 Palestinians have been killed since the fragile ceasefire took effect on 11 October 2025.
## Israel plans to resume war
Defense Minister Israel Katz said it's only a matter of time before Israel resumes full-scale war and moves to force out Gaza's Palestinian population.
## 73,783 killed since war began
At least 73,783 Palestinians have been killed and 174,738 wounded since the war began, according to Gaza's health ministry.
## Key takeaway

Thousands of Palestinians are living in buildings damaged by Israeli strikes that could collapse at any moment, with nowhere else to go.