GAZA(The COW News Digital) At least 16 Palestinians, including five children, were killed after a building damaged by Israeli attacks collapsed in Gaza, according to Arab media reports and local rescue officials.
Rescue teams have so far recovered 16 bodies from the rubble, while 12 people have reportedly been pulled out alive. Authorities fear that many more people remain trapped beneath the collapsed structure.
According to reports, at least 100 Palestinians may be buried under the debris, including around 50 children. The figures remain subject to change as rescue operations continue.
Gaza Civil Defence officials said the building that collapsed in the morning had been severely weakened and was in a highly unstable condition following previous Israeli attacks.
When the structure came down, large sections of the debris reportedly fell onto nearby homes and tents housing displaced Palestinians, resulting in additional casualties.
Rescue workers are facing serious difficulties in reaching people trapped beneath the rubble because of a shortage of heavy machinery and essential rescue equipment. The lack of adequate resources has slowed efforts to search the collapsed building and locate survivors.
Gaza Civil Defence has warned that the continuing conflict has left thousands of damaged and partially destroyed buildings across the territory in an increasingly dangerous condition.
Officials said repeated bombardment, combined with restrictions affecting the movement of essential supplies and equipment, has made rescue and recovery operations particularly challenging.
The latest incident highlights the risks faced by Palestinians living in or near structures already weakened by the ongoing fighting. Many displaced families have also been forced to seek shelter in temporary camps and tents, often close to damaged residential areas.
Rescue teams continued searching through the debris as reports indicated that a large number of people could still be trapped. The final death toll is expected to depend on the progress of the recovery operation.
The incident comes amid the continuing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where widespread destruction has left residential buildings, public infrastructure and other facilities severely damaged.
Local authorities have repeatedly called for additional rescue equipment and humanitarian assistance to help emergency teams respond to casualties and safely remove people trapped beneath collapsed structures.
The reported casualties and conditions at the scene could not be independently verified from all sources. Further details are expected as rescue teams continue their operation and authorities assess the full impact of the collapse.
