Gaza: The collapse of a residential building in the Al-Sina'a area, located in the southwest of Gaza, led to the deaths of 11 Palestinians and injuries to 14 others. Additionally, dozens of people are still trapped under the rubble of this building. This building had previously been damaged due to artillery attacks by Israeli forces.
Rescue Operations and Challenges
Rescue teams in Gaza reported that the six-story building collapsed on its residents as well as on nearby refugee tents. These teams have been working since Wednesday morning to reach those who are trapped under the rubble, but they are facing numerous challenges due to a lack of equipment and heavy machinery.
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According to local residents, over 60 people, most of whom were refugees, lived in this building. The building had structural cracks due to damage from Israeli attacks and has now collapsed on its residents.
Casualty Statistics and Government Requests
Since the ceasefire began on October 11, the total number of fatalities has reached 1,375. Additionally, 4,686 people have been injured and 831 bodies have been recovered from the rubble. The overall casualty figures from the war that began on October 7, 2023, against the Gaza Strip have reached 73,789 Palestinians, with 174,798 others injured.
The Palestinian government in Ramallah has urgently requested unhindered access for domestic and international rescue teams into the Gaza Strip. This request is made to save injured Palestinians and those trapped under the rubble of the residential building that was previously targeted by Israeli forces.
This building housed 10 families, and currently, 20 Palestinians have lost their lives and 14 others have been injured. Moreover, many residents of this building, primarily women and children, are still unaccounted for.
The Palestinian government has expressed deep condolences to the families of the victims and the Palestinian people, strongly urging the international community to exert effective and immediate pressure to facilitate the entry of rescue teams and heavy equipment into the Gaza Strip. This equipment is essential for clearing the rubble, recovering the bodies of victims, and rescuing injured Palestinians and those trapped under the rubble.
The Palestinian government has emphasized that any delay in rescue operations endangers more lives and puts those trapped under the rubble at greater risk. Therefore, there is an urgent need to ensure rapid access for rescue operations.
Destruction of the Bedouin Community in Deir Ballut
Meanwhile, Israeli forces on Wednesday morning demolished a Bedouin community in the western Deir Ballut area located west of Salfit. Local sources reported that Israeli forces raided this area and proceeded to demolish the community where over 20 Palestinians had lived for more than 20 years.
These sources added that the residents of this community had around 1,000 livestock, and this action harms the livelihoods of the families living there, raising concerns about their complete displacement and evacuation from the area. This demolition occurs amid ongoing land seizures and the occupation of large areas of land belonging to Deir Ballut.
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