‘Nowhere else to go’: Gaza families shelter in buildings that may collapse | Israel-Palestine conflict News
Gaza City, Gaza Strip — The structural integrity of a residential building in Gaza City has deteriorated to the point that the roof above Masada Abu Jarad’s apartment has partially collapsed, leaving broken concrete and twisted steel bars exposed. To shield themselves from the elements, Abu Jarad’s family has set up a tent in the section of the living space that is now open to the sky.
At 60 years old, Abu Jarad understands the risks associated with living in such a precarious structure. Representatives from the Palestinian Red Crescent and the Civil Defence visited last week, advising the family to evacuate. However, amid ongoing restrictions on rebuilding efforts, many families in Gaza face a stark reality: There are few safe alternatives.
“We have no options,” Abu Jarad lamented. “I want to leave, but who will give me an alternative?”
For the past year, Abu Jarad has resided in the building located in Palestine Square, having relocated there from northern Gaza after being displaced. Her family originally hails from Beit Lahiya in the far north, but they were forced to flee early in the war as Israeli airstrikes devastated their hometown. The family remains unable to return.
With repeated displacements and the daunting prospect of relocating without a secure destination, the challenge of finding suitable housing has become overwhelming. “Even if there is a better place, how can I afford to rent it?” she asked.
Abu Jarad’s situation is emblematic of a broader housing crisis affecting Palestinians in Gaza, where more than 73,000 individuals have lost their lives as a result of the ongoing conflict. A joint report from the United Nations, World Bank, and European Union indicates that as of October 2025, 371,888 housing units—76.6 percent of Gaza’s total housing stock—had been either destroyed or damaged. The report estimates that rebuilding Gaza will cost over $71 billion over the next decade.
The precarious nature of Gaza’s housing became tragically evident on September 16, when a six-story residential building, damaged by prior conflict, collapsed, resulting in the deaths of 21 people, including 12 children, according to reports from the United Nations and Gaza Civil Defence. This event serves as a stark warning to families residing in similarly compromised structures.
Abdullah Abu Hajar, 40, lives with his wife and five children in the al-Najma building, a six-story structure in the southern Remal neighborhood that shows considerable signs of damage. Municipal notices posted on the walls warn residents that the building is unsafe and at high risk of collapse.
To protect his family, Abdullah remains vigilant at night, listening for any unusual sounds that might indicate further structural failure. “I stay awake all night, keeping watch,” he stated. “I can’t close my eyes.”
Despite their adaptation to the constant threat of collapse, Abdullah admits that anxiety has taken a toll, especially following the recent building collapse on September 16. “I’m already on edge,” he said. “But I don’t know where I can go.”
Displaced from Beit Hanoon in northern Gaza due to Israeli strikes, Abdullah and his family have relocated multiple times throughout the conflict, ultimately settling in their current unstable residence. They face mounting challenges not only from their own conditions but also from the broader uncertainty that affects their extended family. One relative remains caught between the north and south of Gaza, struggling to find safe shelter.
Islam Hassanein, 36, shares similar concerns regarding her living situation. For nearly a year, she has occupied a single room on the third floor of a damaged building with her five children. The room, filled with rubble and debris, barely resembles a family home.
“The plumbing doesn’t work, so we use a bathroom outside. There’s little that resembles a family home,” she explained. “We keep looking, but we can’t find anywhere. They might even force us out of here. What are we supposed to do?”
Islam expressed that she would leave immediately if provided a safe alternative. “If they find us a good place and offer a tent, we will leave tomorrow,” she said, emphasizing the challenges of finding a suitable location.
As winter approaches, the existing risks will only increase. Rain and cold temperatures threaten to exacerbate the already weakened structures. Hassanein recounted last winter as “terrifying,” noting frequent flooding in her home. “Now, I am very afraid of this winter, and I don’t know what we are going to do.”
UN reports indicate that thousands in Gaza are currently sheltering in similarly damaged buildings, deprived of better housing options. Restrictions on the entry of essential materials, such as tents and tarpaulins, have further complicated the humanitarian crisis.
According to UNICEF, nearly 84 percent of Gaza’s population—over 1.76 million people—are living in overcrowded displacement sites or inadequate shelters, lacking adequate protection from harsh weather conditions.
In the face of these challenges, Hassanein remains concerned for her children’s safety, feeling trapped with minimal options. “They are all afraid,” she said. “But what can we do? If there is an alternative, I will leave. We leave it to God.”
