jordan pulse -

At least 16 Palestinians—including five children—were killed, 13 to 25 others injured, and more than 100 remain missing after a cracked, six-story residential building collapsed overnight in the Al-Sina'a area, southwest of Gaza City. The structure was housing dozens of displaced individuals and collapsed onto nearby shelter tents around 2:00 AM while residents were sleeping.
Key Operational Details & Systemic Crisis
Cause of Structural Failure: The building had suffered severe structural stress and cracks following multiple Israeli bombardments during the war.
Critical Equipment Shortages: Civil Defense crews, municipal teams, and local volunteers have been digging through the debris since dawn—often using basic hand tools—due to a critical lack of heavy machinery and fuel caused by border restrictions.
Widespread Structural Hazards: Palestinian Civil Defense and U.N. officials warned that over 2,000 structurally compromised, war-damaged buildings across Gaza are currently inhabited by displaced families who lack alternative shelter options.
Municipal Demands: Gaza Mayor Yahya Al-Sarraj warned of further imminent building collapses and called on the international community to expedite the entry of mobile homes and heavy rescue equipment before the onset of winter weather.