A fragile ceasefire took hold in Gaza on Friday, sparking cautious optimism as displaced residents prepared to return to neighborhoods shattered by two years of conflict. The Israeli military confirmed its troops began withdrawing from parts of the territory under a deal with Hamas, marking the first major pullback since violence escalated in 2022.
Hundreds gathered near Gaza City's outskirts, their belongings piled onto carts and trucks, as sporadic gunfire echoed nearby. "We've waited so long," said 28-year-old teacher Amal Hassan, clutching her children's schoolbooks. "But how do you rebuild when even the streets have disappeared?"
While humanitarian groups rush to assess damage, many families face returning to homes reduced to rubble. Satellite imagery shows entire blocks flattened in central Gaza – a stark reminder of the challenges ahead. UN officials estimate over 120,000 people remain displaced across the territory.
The ceasefire comes as regional mediators push for extended peace talks. For now, residents tread carefully between hope and lingering uncertainty, their footsteps tracing new paths through the debris of the old world. 🌍💔
