Defense Ministry civilian contractor killed in Gaza building collapse
Raad Abu al-Qi’an is first civilian contractor to be killed in the Strip since ceasefire with Hamas began in October
by Emanuel Fabian Follow You will receive email alerts from this author. Manage alert preferences on your profile page You will no longer receive email alerts from this author. Manage alert preferences on your profile page · The Times of IsraelA Defense Ministry civilian contractor was killed in a building collapse in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, the military announced.
The contractor, who was named as Raad Abu al-Qi’an from Hura, was employed by a civilian company carrying out demolition works on behalf of the Defense Ministry in the Strip.
During the demolition works, a structure collapsed on Abu al-Qi’an while he was operating heavy machinery, killing him.
The Israel Defense Forces said his family was notified of the incident — described as an “operational accident” — and the military and Defense Ministry “share in the family’s grief.”
Abu al-Qi’an is the first Defense Ministry civilian contractor to be killed in Gaza or along the border with the Strip since the ceasefire ending the Israel-Hamas war was reached in October, and fourth since the October 7, 2023, terror onslaught that started the conflict.
A Defense Ministry civilian contractor was also killed recently in southern Lebanon amid the porous ceasefire there with Iran-backed Hezbollah.