Displaced Palestinians face collapse risk in damaged Gaza buildings, authorities warn.

SHOTLIST: GAZA STRIP, PALESTINE (SEPT. 16, 2026) 1. VARIOUS OF HEAVY MACHINERY WORKING THROUGH RUBBLE OF COLLAPSED BUILDING 2. DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF GAZA GOVERNMENT MEDIA OFFICE, ISMAIL AL-THAWABTA SPEAKING TO REPORTER (Arabic) 3. EYEWITNESS, NAJI SALIM SPEAKING TO REPORTER (Arabic) 4. VARIOUS OF HEAVY MACHINERY WORKING THROUGH RUBBLE OF COLLAPSED BUILDINGGAZA STRIP, PALESTINE - SEPT. 16: Thousands of damaged buildings sheltering displaced civilians across the Gaza Strip have turned into "ticking time bombs," Gaza's Government Media Office warned Wednesday, Sept. 16. The warning came after the six-story Al-Saade building in the city's Al-Sinaa area collapsed in the western Gaza City. The official, Ismail al-Thawabta, described the precariously balanced structures as "ticking time bombs," stating that residents continue to inhabit them due to an overwhelming lack of safe alternative shelter. Al-Thawabta added that more than 8,500 people have been reported missing beneath rubble across the enclave since Oct. 7, 2023. At least 20 Palestinians, including five children, were killed Wednesday when a residential building housing displaced people that had been damaged during Israel’s genocidal war collapsed in western Gaza City, according to Palestinian sources. Accusing Israeli authorities of obstructing rescue efforts by restricting heavy machinery, civil defense gear, fuel, and spare parts, al-Thawabta urged international officials to open border crossings for essential recovery equipment. He characterized the recent fatal collapse of the Al-Saade building as part of a continuing humanitarian disaster while warning of further structural failures. According to the latest figures from Gaza’s Health Ministry, Israeli violations of the ceasefire have killed 1,381 Palestinians and injured 4,757 others since the agreement took effect. Israel’s war on Gaza, which began on Oct. 8, 2023, has killed more than 73,000 Palestinians and injured over 174,000 others, according to Palestinian figures. The war has also destroyed around 90% of the Gaza Strip’s infrastructure.