A six-story apartment building in Gaza City collapsed overnight, killing 21 people, including 12 children, local Gaza authorities reported on Wednesday. The structure, located in the Tal al-Hawa neighborhood, collapsed onto adjacent homes and tents after sustaining damage from previous Israeli strikes.
The building had four apartments on each floor, and its destruction adds to the extensive damage across Gaza, where a majority of buildings have been affected by ongoing conflict. This incident underscores the humanitarian toll amid continuing hostilities in the region.
Separately, Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated on Wednesday that a full-scale military operation in Gaza remains imminent. Katz stated that approximately 70 percent of Gaza’s population has already been displaced since the offensive launched by Israel in October 2023. He characterized the forthcoming escalation as a measure aimed at forcing out the remaining residents of the territory.
The comments come amid heightened tensions and an ongoing military campaign by Israel directed at Gaza’s two million residents. The Israeli government views the operation as necessary for national security, while Gaza authorities and international observers have expressed concern over the rising civilian casualties and displacement resulting from the conflict.