Raad Abu al-Qi’an is first civilian contractor to be killed in the Strip since ceasefire with Hamas began in October

Defense Ministry civilian contractor Raad Abu al-Qi’an in an undated photo (X, used in accordance with Clause 27a of the Copyright Law)

A 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.

As reported by The Times of Israel