Gaza building collapse exposes human cost of shelter restrictions

The seven-storey building housed displaced families despite earlier structural damage. Hundreds of damaged buildings assessed as unsafe remain occupied because families lack safer alternatives. 

Israeli authorities approved 36,960 pieces of timber and 660 emergency shelter kits in August, but rejected their entry on 26 August and 2 September. They subsequently denied a renewed coordination request by the UN, reportedly on security grounds. 

Israeli authorities have themselves acknowledged the scale of need. More than 80 per cent of respondents to its September online survey needed new tents. The authorities announced approval for the tents’ entry and said additional winter equipment would also be permitted. 

“Families in Gaza face an impossible choice between a damaged building that could collapse and a tent that could flood,” said Jan Egeland, NRC’s Secretary General. “Israeli authorities recognise the desperate need for shelter, yet repeatedly turn away even the materials they previously approved for delivery. Announced approvals of building materials and shelter kits cannot keep families safe. We need deliveries, not promises. And we need them before winter arrives.” 

The Palestine Shelter Cluster, led by NRC, found that only one in ten households received shelter or basic household assistance in the month preceding its June assessment. Nearly two-thirds lived in tents or makeshift shelters, more than half of which were in poor or very poor condition. 

Repairing damaged homes also remains beyond reach for many families. Among surveyed households living in damaged buildings, 71 per cent could not afford repair materials, while 49 per cent reported that materials were unavailable locally. 

The collapse also exposed the shortage of equipment needed to rescue people trapped beneath the rubble. Egypt provided heavy machinery, but the UN Humanitarian Coordinator called for urgent entry of additional machinery, specialised equipment, engine oil and fuel to sustain rescue efforts. 

In the June assessment, 71 per cent of surveyed households reported flooding. With winter approaching, NRC calls on Israeli authorities to enable immediate, predictable and sustained entry of tents, tarpaulins, repair and construction materials, fuel and heavy machinery at volumes matching assessed needs. 

Essential shelter supplies must reach families without delay and before winter arrives. Donor governments must urgently fund safe repairs, drainage, flood protection and adequate winter shelters. 

Mohammed Al-Aklouk, the Shelter Cluster’s Information Management Coordinator, lives with his family in a damaged rented house. 

“The house I rent has no windows, only plastic sheeting, but compared with a tent, it feels like a palace. My youngest son just wants somewhere safe to play football. My children keep telling me: ‘We’re prisoners inside the house. We want to breathe',” said Al-Aklouk. 

Notes to editors 

• The Shelter Cluster’s August 2026 report, Exposed on All Sides: Shelter Severity and Household Needs Across Accessible Areas of Gaza, draws on 1,951 household interviews conducted between 14 and 28 June 2026 in accessible areas of North Gaza, Gaza, Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis. Rafah and other inaccessible areas were excluded. The assessment achieved an approximate aggregate margin of error of ±2.4 percentage points at the 95 per cent confidence level. 

• The Shelter Cluster report found that 94 per cent of the estimated population in the areas covered required shelter or basic household assistance. It classified 84 per cent of assessed households as facing Critical or Catastrophic domestic living conditions, reflecting severe constraints on essential activities, including sleeping, cooking, washing, storing food and water, and maintaining adequate lighting and thermal comfort. 

• The UN’s humanitarian situation report of 11 September documents the August approval and subsequent rejection of the timber and emergency shelter kits on 26 August and 2 September, followed by the renewed denial. The shipment contained framing materials and basic construction tools needed for emergency repairs and shelter improvements. 

• The UN Humanitarian Coordinator’s statement of 16 September warns that hundreds of damaged buildings assessed as unsafe remain occupied. It calls for urgent entry of rescue equipment, machinery, engine oil and fuel, alongside essential shelter assistance within four weeks. 

• COGAT’s September online survey found that more than 80 per cent of respondents identified a need for new tents. COGAT subsequently announced approval for their entry and said additional winter equipment would also be permitted, as reported by Israel National News on 7 September 2026.  

• The Palestine Shelter Cluster coordinates humanitarian organisations working on shelter needs in Gaza and the West Bank. NRC leads the Cluster, with the International Organization for Migration serving as co-coordinator. 

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