Five Palestinians Killed, Dozens Injured or Missing After Building Collapse in Gaza

Gaza, September 16, 2026 : Five Palestinians, including children, were killed early Wednesday after a residential building in Gaza City collapsed following damage sustained in an Israeli bombardment. The building was sheltering dozens of displaced Palestinians, according to Palestinian medical and civil defense sources.

Medical sources at Al-Shifa Hospital said around 15 Palestinians were injured, while a large number of others remained missing following the collapse of the building in the Al-Sina’a area, southwest of Gaza City.

A Palestinian Civil Defense source told QNA that the six-story building had previously been damaged in an Israeli attack and was being used as shelter by displaced families who had limited alternatives.

Civil Defense teams, working alongside Gaza Municipality crews, continued efforts for hours to locate and rescue people trapped beneath the rubble. The source estimated that more than 60 people were either injured or missing following the collapse.

Rescue operations have been complicated by a severe shortage of resources and equipment, much of which has been damaged or destroyed during Israeli bombardment, according to the Civil Defense source.

The source also said that the lack of adequate shelters has forced some displaced families to seek refuge in damaged buildings and homes that remain at risk of collapse.

According to official Palestinian reports cited in the QNA report, the Israeli war on the Gaza Strip since October 7, 2023, has destroyed more than 90 percent of residential buildings and facilities across the territory. The reports also state that Israeli forces control more than 70 percent of the Gaza Strip and prevent residents and displaced people from returning to those areas.

Source: QNA