Gaza’s Government Media Office (GMO) has launched an emergency plan to evacuate and remove 255 cracked and structurally unstable buildings considered at risk of collapse, following the deadly collapse of a damaged residential building in Gaza City.

The six-story al-Saada building collapsed after sustaining severe damage during the war while housing displaced Palestinian families, killing 21 people and injuring 45 others, according to the latest figures from Gaza’s Civil Defense. Around 101 people, including children, were reportedly inside the building at the time of the collapse.

The GMO held Israel responsible for the disaster, saying the building had been directly bombed on Oct. 9, 2023, at around 5 p.m. According to the office, the attack struck the building’s foundations as well as its first and second floors, causing structural damage that eventually contributed to the collapse.

The GMO rejected Israeli statements denying responsibility, saying engineering inspections, field documentation and testimonies from residents supported its account. It described the Israeli denials as an attempt to avoid legal responsibility.

The claims have not been independently verified.

The emergency operation is being led by Gaza’s Ministry of Public Works and Housing in coordination with government ministries, local institutions, the Civil Defense, Palestinian police, and international and United Nations organizations operating in the Gaza Strip.

Under the plan, authorities will issue official evacuation notices to residents and owners of buildings classified as dangerous and place warning signs around structures considered at risk.

Authorities are also seeking to arrange temporary shelter for families forced to leave their homes.

Relevant government bodies have been instructed to prepare urgent field reports documenting structural inspections, evacuations and measures taken to protect residents.

Teams from the Ministry of Social Development have already begun visiting areas to identify displaced families living in buildings classified as dangerous. Government committees are continuing to assess damaged structures and determine how many families remain inside them.

The emergency plan faces significant logistical and humanitarian obstacles.

According to the GMO, some families have been reluctant to leave buildings despite receiving warnings, while a lack of cooperation from people responsible for certain properties has made it more difficult for authorities to identify residents and implement protective measures.

Authorities also face shortages of funding, heavy machinery and equipment needed to safely dismantle or remove unstable structures.

Another major challenge is the shortage of safe land and suitable shelters for families displaced by the evacuation campaign.

An Egyptian committee has reportedly expressed readiness to provide transportation to move displaced residents from dangerous buildings to designated shelter centers.

The GMO warned that the collapse of the al-Saada building should not be viewed as an isolated incident, saying widespread destruction across Gaza has left numerous residential buildings, infrastructure and civilian facilities severely damaged.

The office said cracked and weakened structures could pose an immediate danger to residents and displaced families living inside or near them, with the approaching winter potentially increasing the risk of further structural failures.

The GMO called on the international community, UN agencies and human rights organizations to document what it described as Israeli violations, pursue accountability through international legal mechanisms and support efforts to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure.

It also urged media organizations, families, community leaders, clans and civil society groups to assist with public awareness and evacuation efforts.

Authorities called on residents to cooperate with field teams and heed evacuation warnings, saying coordinated action was necessary to prevent further loss of life. (ILKHA)