A war‑damaged residential block in the northern Gaza city of Jabalia collapsed on Tuesday, killing 21 people, eight of whom were children, rescuers said.

Rescue work under fire

Emergency teams descended into the rubble with hand tools, searching for survivors amid a cloud of dust and broken concrete. The operation has been slowed by a ban on heavy machinery, which Israeli authorities say is needed to protect civilian infrastructure.

"Every minute counts, but we cannot bring in the equipment that could speed up the search," a senior rescue coordinator told reporters.

Families who had been living in the damaged structure – an estimated ten households – had nowhere else to go, according to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency. The collapse left dozens more missing, officials added.

rescue workers sifting through rubble in a collapsed Gaza building

Human cost of a protracted siege

The tragedy comes as Gaza endures one of the longest‑running humanitarian emergencies in the region. Since the conflict erupted last year, more than 2,000 damaged buildings have been occupied by displaced families, the German public broadcaster DW reported.

Health officials in the enclave, who operate under severe resource constraints, have confirmed the death toll but warned that the real number of casualties could rise as the search continues.

International response and next steps

Humanitarian organisations have called for an immediate lifting of the machinery ban, arguing that the restriction jeopardises lives and violates international humanitarian law. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs urged all parties to facilitate swift access for rescue equipment.

Israel’s military spokesperson said the strike that hit the building was aimed at a nearby target and expressed regret for civilian losses, but declined to comment on the equipment restriction.

With winter approaching, the risk of further collapses in overcrowded, makeshift shelters looms large. Aid agencies warn that without a rapid influx of heavy‑duty lifting gear, families trapped under debris may not be found in time.

As the city’s narrow streets fill with ambulances and volunteers, the scene underscores the broader plight of Gaza’s civilian population, caught between ongoing hostilities and a crumbling infrastructure.