GAZA, September 18, 2026 (WAFA) — Civil Defense crews in the Gaza Strip today rescued several people trapped after a war-damaged residential building collapsed in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City.

Local sources said the building belonged to the Weshah family. Civil Defense crews rushed to the scene immediately after the collapse and managed to pull the trapped people from the rubble.

The collapse comes amid warnings over more than 2,000 damaged buildings across the Gaza Strip that are at risk of collapse, many of which are sheltering displaced Palestinians. Rescue crews have warned of the dangers posed to residents by damaged structures, compounded by shortages of heavy machinery and specialized equipment needed for rescue operations.

Two days ago, rescue crews reported that the death toll from the collapse of a residential building sheltering displaced Palestinians in Gaza City had risen to 21, including 12 children, five women and two elderly people, while 14 others were injured and more than 100 people remained missing under the rubble. The crews said 50 Palestinians had been killed in building collapses involving structures damaged during the Israeli aggression on Gaza.

Despite the ceasefire announced on October 11, 2025, Israeli forces have continued attacks on the Gaza Strip, killing 1,372 Palestinians and injuring 4,659 others, according to health authorities.

The destruction has left more than 102,000 buildings damaged or destroyed, while at least 330,000 housing units have been completely or partially destroyed. The devastation has also affected schools, universities, hospitals, mosques, churches, government facilities, economic establishments, roads, water and electricity networks, sewage systems, and agricultural land.

A joint assessment by the United Nations, European Union and World Bank estimated in April 2026 that more than 371,888 housing units had been destroyed or damaged and put Gaza's recovery and reconstruction needs at $71.4 billion over the coming decade.

M.N