Getty ImagesAs Palestinians poured into the streets of Gaza to celebrate the ceasefire, the moments of joy for many faded as they returned to their homes to face devastation.
In Jabalia, a town located north of the Gaza Strip and home to the largest refugee camp in the Strip, photos and videos shared by residents revealed entire neighborhoods turned into rubble.
Upon her return to the Fallujah area in Jabalia, Duaa Al-Khalidi told the BBC: “I survived with my daughter and got out from under the rubble of our house.
“Here, under the rubble, the bodies of my husband, my mother-in-law and my sister-in-law have been buried since October 9.”
The 28-year-old mother of two continued: “I only want their bodies so I can bury them with dignity.”
Jabalia camp, once home to more than 250,000 Palestinians, became the site of the largest and most violent Israeli military operation during the war, with about 4,000 Palestinians killed, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.
Hussein Odeh also returned to Jabalia, who documented his return journey from Gaza City.
The professional weightlifter, who represented Palestine internationally, lost 10 members of his family at the beginning of the war.
He added: “The best thing that happened today is that after 100 days I was able to visit my family's grave and pray for them.”
He also posted a video clip revealing the destruction of his three-story house and the sports club he owned.
“Here I lost the people closest to my heart: my brothers, my children, and my source of livelihood. The war killed everything beautiful inside us.”
Getty ImagesIn the southern city of Khan Yunis, armed Hamas fighters roamed the streets to cheering crowds and cheering, according to Reuters news agency.
Hamas policemen wearing police uniforms were also deployed in some areas after months of hiding out of sight to avoid Israeli strikes.
Ahmed Abu Ayham, a resident of Gaza City who took refuge with his family in Khan Yunis, told Reuters that his city is “horrible.”
In the city that It suffered the greatest destruction according to expertsThe demonstrators were seen waving the Palestinian flag and filming the scenes on their mobile phones.
But the 40-year-old said it was not the time for celebrations, even though the ceasefire might save lives.
He said: “We are in pain, deep pain, and it is time for us to hug each other and cry.”
Gazans are also moving to the southern city of Rafah, near the Egyptian border.
Muhammad Suleiman told BBC Arabic Lifeline in Gaza: “Praise be to God, we received the news of the entry into force of the ceasefire with all joy and happiness.
“God willing, things will change for the better and we will return to Rafah. I hope that every displaced person will return to his home safely.”
Many fled the city after Israel ordered their evacuation before the start of a military operation in southern Gaza City.
In Rafah, Muhammad al-Jamal, a journalist for the Palestinian newspaper Al-Ayyam, spoke of his loss.
The house was destroyed and leveled. “Everything has turned into rubble,” he said. “The chicken coop and the fig tree whose fruits we shared together are now a thing of the past.”
Getty ImagesThe fragility of the ceasefire agreement became clear from its first hours.
The truce finally entered into force after a three-hour delay, during which 19 Palestinians were killed in what Israel said were attacks on “terrorist targets.”
By the afternoon, Three Israeli hostages return to Israel, As part of the six-week first phase which will see the release of 33 hostages.
But people in Gaza still fear that the truce will falter again.
