Fatal Building Collapse in Gaza Highlights Reconstruction Crisis
The collapse of a multi-story building in Gaza City killed 21 people, exposing ongoing structural dangers nearly a year after the ceasefire.
The tragic building collapse in the Gaza Strip has highlighted the severe housing dangers facing local residents amid a stalled reconstruction process following the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The incident in Gaza City on Wednesday resulted in the deaths of 21 people.
Collapse of the Multi-Story Building
The Gaza Ministry of Health announced that 21 people lost their lives in the building collapse that occurred in Gaza City on Wednesday. Um Mohammed Adas, who lost relatives, stated that the collapsed building had become a shelter used as a last resort.
Families remaining in similar structures stated that they lacked the financial means to find alternative housing or tents, forcing them to continue living in risky buildings.
Stalled Reconstruction
Following the ceasefire reached between Israel and Hamas nearly a year ago, promises were made to initiate the reconstruction process in the region. However, the plans remain on hold due to stalled negotiations.
Although the foundations of many of the hundreds of thousands of damaged homes have weakened and their walls have become unstable, local residents have been forced to return to these buildings.
Increasing Shelter Dangers
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs announced that collapse incidents occurred in five different shelters during the first week of September.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ministry of Public Works officially reported that approximately 2,000 additional buildings are at risk of collapse.
International Reports and Political Obstacles
According to a joint damage assessment published in April by the World Bank and the United Nations, Israel stated that it would not permit any reconstruction in Gaza until Hamas disarms. This situation leaves more than 1 million people living in areas away from safe spaces.
Another report published last month revealed that nearly three years of war damaged over 320,000 housing units and affected 1.7 million of the region's 2.1 million population.
Calls from Aid Organizations
Various aid organizations, including the Norwegian Refugee Council, called for permitting the entry of shelter and reconstruction materials such as timber, emergency kits, and excavators into Gaza.
The organizations pointed out that such materials have recently been denied due to security reasons.
Statements from the Israeli Military Body
The Israeli military unit COGAT stated that there are genuine security concerns that Hamas could use these components to rebuild terrorist infrastructure.
At the same time, COGAT claimed that it regularly facilitates the shipment of shelter materials in coordination with international organizations.