Gaza authorities announce plan to demolish 255 war-damaged buildings

Gaza’s Government Media Office has announced the launching an "urgent emergency plan", where 255 buildings damaged by Israeli attacks across the besieged enclave will be demolished. "As part of the comprehensive management of this crisis, relevant ministries have issued strict directives to their departments to immediately initiate field operations and implement the evacuation plan," the office said in a press release on Sunday. "These directives include issuing formal notices to the owners of hazardous buildings requiring immediate evacuation, installing warning signs to prevent access, and arranging temporary shelter for affected families." However, the office outlined a number of challenges, including some families refusing to evacuate, lack of funding, shortages of equipment and machinery due to Israel's ongoing siege as well as a lack of land to shelter evacuated families. The announcement follows the collapse of a building damaged by Israeli bombardment last week in Gaza City. The six-storey building, which had four apartments per floor and was housing at least 100 displaced people, crumbled overnight onto nearby homes and tents in the Tal al-Hawa area of Gaza City. At least 21 displaced Palestinians, including five children, were killed as a result.