Gaza Building Collapse Kills at Least 12 as Middle East Tensions Continue

At least 12 people, including four children, were killed Wednesday when a building sheltering displaced Palestinian families collapsed in Gaza City. The multistory building had suffered extensive damage during the Israel-Hamas war, and concerns had previously been raised about its structural condition.

Elsewhere in the region, Saudi Arabia said Tuesday night that its air defenses intercepted a drone allegedly launched by Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels and heading toward Mecca, the kingdom’s holiest city.

Here are the latest developments from across the Middle East. Full coverage can be found here.

Gaza City building collapse kills at least 12 displaced people

A war-damaged building in Gaza City that was housing roughly six displaced families collapsed Wednesday morning, killing at least 12 people and wounding 15 others, according to Shifa Hospital. Four or more of those killed were children.

Dozens more were believed to be missing or trapped beneath the debris. Footage from the scene showed civil defense teams inspecting the ruins and deploying bulldozers as they searched for survivors, including children.

The structure had already been partly destroyed by an Israeli strike earlier in the war. The immediate reason for Wednesday’s collapse was not clear. Across Gaza, where most buildings have been damaged or destroyed, multistory structures have repeatedly collapsed during the conflict, especially during winter weather.

Falling buildings have emerged as a serious danger for Gaza’s displaced population. Many families have left tent encampments and returned to homes weakened by bombardment during the nearly three-year war.

Saudi military says drone was downed near Mecca

Saudi military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Turki al-Malki said the country’s defenses intercepted and destroyed the drone Tuesday evening before it could enter the airspace above Mecca, Islam’s holiest city and a central destination for Muslims around the world.

Mecca is the birthplace of the Prophet Muhammad and the location of the Kaaba, the black cube-shaped structure that Muslims around the world turn to five times a day when praying. Muslims believe Muhammad first received God’s revelations of the Quran, Islam’s holy book, in Mecca.

The security of the holy city is “a red line,” al-Malki said, adding that Saudi forces will not hesitate to act against “hostile and terrorist behavior.”

The Iran-backed Houthis in neighboring Yemen denied targeting Mecca. But the allegation drew condemnations throughout the Islamic world, including from Pakistan and the 57-country Organization of Islamic Cooperation.

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This report will be updated throughout the day as new developments emerge.