The deadly collapse of a multistory building in Gaza has drawn new attention to the hardships facing Palestinians there nearly a year after a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas promised to kickstart reconstruction.
But as talks faltered, plans for rebuilding stalled. Israel bars entry of almost all construction materials, making even repairs difficult. Many residents have since moved back into some of the hundreds of thousands of homes damaged by the war despite the risk of weakened foundations and unstable walls suddenly giving way.
The Gaza Health Ministry said 21 people were killed in the collapse in Gaza City on Wednesday. The roof of another building in Gaza City caved in on Friday after a brief period of rain, the local civil defense force said, lightly injuring four children.
Um Mohammad Adas, whose relatives were among those killed on Wednesday, said the fallen building had become a shelter of last resort.
“Now, they are lying in the street homeless and with absolutely nothing,” she said of her family members who survived the collapse. “Even the clothes they are wearing were borrowed.”
Families living in similar structures said they couldn’t afford any other shelter.
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