DEIR AL BALAH, Gaza Strip — Nearly a year after a ceasefire agreement aimed at halting hostilities between Israel and Hamas, reconstruction efforts in Gaza remain largely stalled, leaving tens of thousands of Palestinians living in precarious and often unsafe conditions. The situation came into sharp focus following the collapse of a multistory building in Gaza City last week, which killed 21 people, underscoring the ongoing risks faced by residents living in damaged structures across the territory.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported the fatalities from the Wednesday collapse, one of several recent incidents involving unstable buildings. On Friday, the roof of another building in Gaza City partially gave way following heavy rain, injuring four children. Local civil defense officials attributed such incidents to the widespread structural damage sustained during the prolonged conflict.

Many residents continue to occupy buildings weakened by the war despite the dangers of potential collapse. Families cite limited options and financial constraints as reasons for returning to or remaining in these unsafe shelters. “We don’t have money to go somewhere else,” said Ahmad Arafat, who lives among rubble near his home. Others echoed the sentiment that although conditions are hazardous, alternatives such as tents or other forms of shelter are scarce or financially inaccessible. Humanitarian workers say tents and emergency shelter kits remain in short supply due to severe restrictions on material imports into Gaza.

These restrictions are imposed by Israel, which controls the territory’s borders and limits the entry of most construction materials. Israeli authorities contend that many goods, including building supplies, could be repurposed by Hamas to reinforce its military infrastructure. The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) stated that while it facilitates the entry of shelter supplies with international partners, security concerns remain paramount.

The years-long conflict has resulted in extensive damage to Gaza’s housing stock. A joint assessment by the World Bank and the United Nations indicated that more than three-quarters of residential units were either damaged or destroyed. The Palestinian Ministry of Public Works reported over 2,000 buildings at risk of collapse as of early September. The protracted blockade and restrictions on reconstruction materials have left over one million people in the enclave living in inadequate or unstable housing conditions, with many concentrated in overcrowded tent camps lacking proper sanitation.

Humanitarian organizations have repeatedly called on Israel to ease these restrictions to allow vital reconstruction and shelter supplies into Gaza. The Norwegian Refugee Council highlighted the urgent shelter crisis, noting widespread flooding and the heightened risk of structural failures during adverse weather. According to their surveys, 72% of Gaza residents surveyed were residing in damaged buildings, with 22% of structures in some neighborhoods considered in imminent danger of collapse.

The current humanitarian and housing challenges trace back to an escalation in conflict following Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023, which precipitated a large-scale Israeli military response. Although a ceasefire agreement was reached in October 2025, Israeli strikes have continued, resulting in further casualties. The Gaza Health Ministry reports the death toll from the nearly three-year war at more than 73,800 Palestinians. The majority of the population continues to endure the long-term consequences of the conflict amid ongoing restrictions and limited reconstruction progress.