The Palestinian NGOs Network (PNGO) followed with grave concern the collapse of a residential building in the Sina'a area southwest of Gaza City. The building was sheltering displaced families. The collapse resulted in deaths and injuries, while a number of people remain trapped under the rubble amid major difficulties facing rescue teams due to an acute shortage of equipment and heavy machinery.

This incident painfully reveals the magnitude of the risks facing thousands of families who have been forced to live in damaged, unsafe buildings due to the destruction of large numbers of homes and housing infrastructure, and the lack of safe, adequate housing alternatives. Residents are now confined to less than 30% of the Gaza Strip's area, with Israeli occupation forces controlling 70% of it.

PNGO holds the occupation responsible for this tragic incident, and calls on all relevant humanitarian bodies to ensure the protection of civilians and secure safe shelter for them. It also urges that Civil Defense and rescue teams be enabled to reach those trapped and be urgently provided with the necessary equipment.

PNGO also calls on the United Nations, humanitarian institutions, and international parties to take immediate action to expand the shelter response, accelerate the entry of shelter and emergency supplies, support the assessment of damaged buildings, and take the necessary measures to avoid further disasters.

PNGO also warns of the serious humanitarian repercussions of continued restrictions on the entry of shelter supplies into the Gaza Strip, at a time when nearly 90% of the Strip's population needs shelter assistance.

PNGO believes that the continuation of these restrictions, combined with the destruction of homes and the deterioration of damaged buildings, puts civilians in extremely dangerous situations and increases the exposure of displaced families to the risks of collapses, harsh weather, and the loss of even minimal safe housing conditions.

Palestinian NGOs Network