The Happiness Building.. The War That Kills After the Raid
The collapse of the Happiness Building in the industrial area of Gaza City at dawn resulted in the martyrdom of 21 Palestinians, including 11 children and five women, and injuries to others. The building had been damaged by a previous bombardment that weakened it, and displaced families remained inside with no alternative shelter. A lack of heavy machinery hampered rescue operations.
The Happiness Building in the industrial area of Gaza City collapsed around 3 a.m., resulting in the martyrdom of 21 Palestinians, including 11 children and five women, and injuries to others, with search operations still ongoing. The building had been damaged by a previous Israeli bombardment that weakened its structure, but displaced families remained inside due to a lack of alternative shelter. The incident reflects the suffering of the displaced who lost their homes, income, and savings, making staying in a cracked building a forced decision. A lack of heavy machinery hampered rescue teams' access to those trapped. UN Human Rights Commissioner Volker Türk warned that the recovery of the remains of victims, mostly children and women, raises concerns of war crimes, and called for allowing international investigators access. The article criticizes the continuation of Israeli bombardment despite the ceasefire agreement, and sees the incident as revealing a gap between political statements and the field reality.