Twenty-one people, including five children, have died after a six-storey apartment building collapsed in Gaza City’s Tal al-Hawa district. The building, which was sheltering more than 100 displaced Palestinians, had been damaged during earlier Israeli strikes and collapsed overnight onto neighbouring homes and tents. Rescue teams recovered victims after hours of searching through rubble, while 45 injured people were taken to hospital. Authorities said residents had previously been warned not to return because the building was unsafe, but severe shortages of suitable accommodation have left many displaced families with few alternatives. The United Nations says the majority of buildings across Gaza have been damaged or destroyed during the conflict, while Gaza’s civil defence agency estimates around 2,000 structures remain at risk of collapse. The International Committee of the Red Cross provided equipment for the rescue operation. UN humanitarian officials said the tragedy demonstrates the urgent need for safer accommodation for families who continue to face serious dangers simply while seeking somewhere to shelter.