Gaza Mayor Yahya al-Sarraj:

▪ This morning, with deep anger and sorrow, we received the news of the deaths of women, children, and the elderly in the collapse of a residential building in Gaza City.

▪ The incident is not the first and may not be the last unless urgent intervention is made and the necessary equipment is brought in to rescue and rehabilitate the damaged buildings.

▪ Despite repeated warnings to the international community, organizations, and institutions, Israeli obstinacy in allowing equipment in deprives Palestinians of living in safety and dignity.

▪ Concern is increasing with the approaching winter season, strong winds, and heavy rains that may lead to collapses and similar incidents.

▪ Despite warning citizens not to approach buildings that are on the verge of collapse, they do not find suitable places to live because of the lack of alternatives.

▪ We appeal for the entry of temporary housing, saving people's lives, and providing the basic necessities of life; the Palestinian people are not numbers but human beings who deserve a dignified life.

▪ We demand the entry of the materials necessary to operate hospitals and public and health facilities and to provide the basic needs of the population.

▪ We hope that this incident will be a turning point that calls for urgent and rapid action to prevent the recurrence of tragedies and save the lives of residents.