Adham Bartawi returned to his family home in northern Gaza after more than a year only to be shocked by the devastation he found. Half our house is gone, the 31-year-old lamented to the BBC. He described the scene as if it had been bulldozed, with most rooms destroyed except for two and a bathroom. Concerned about looting, he felt compelled to stay.
Adham is among the many Palestinians who have been able to return to the north following Israel's decision to allow displaced residents to come back, as part of the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel to end the conflict initiated by Hamas in October 2023.
The returning residents face immense challenges, with significant rebuilding efforts required. Sam Rose from Unrwa highlighted the immense task ahead to provide essential services to the returning population in the devastated northern Gaza.
Despite the daunting situation, individuals like Imad Ali al-Zain and Ihab Qraqeh are trying to navigate the aftermath. Imad, who described the destruction as indescribable, is setting up a tent to make it his temporary home, while Ihab and his family are preparing to move back after seeing how others fared on the first day of returns.
For some, like Khalil Shabeer and his pregnant wife, the journey back proved too arduous. Concerned for his wife's well-being, they decided to return to central Gaza after initially attempting the trip. The road ahead is challenging, with many more expected to make the trek back to the north from the south of Gaza in the days to come.