KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip — Even before the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was officially in place on Sunday, many residents of the Gaza Strip began returning to the remains of their homes after a devastating 15-month war. Majida Abu Jarad quickly packed her family’s tent in a displacement camp near the southern border with Egypt, eager to return to Beit Hanoun, where she had once enjoyed simple family evenings.

The family, like many others, had been forced to flee multiple times due to Israeli military orders, moving from one temporary shelter to another. “As soon as they said that the truce would start on Sunday, we started packing our bags,” Abu Jarad shared. Tragically, the war has claimed the lives of more than 46,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, while many others remain unaccounted for.

Despite the chaos and destruction, locals attempted to navigate the rubble, some on foot and others using donkey carts to carry what little they could salvage. “They’re returning to retrieve their loved ones under the rubble,” noted Mohamed Mahdi, a father of two, as he walked through the remnants of his neighborhood. There was a palpable sense of celebration among the returning residents, even amidst the devastation.

Um Saber, another resident, returned to Beit Lahiya, where she discovered that much of her community lay in ruins. “It’s no longer a hospital at all,” she stated, referring to the Kamal Adwan hospital that had been repeatedly targeted in the conflict.

The widespread destruction across Gaza has led to harrowing discoveries, with families uncovering human remains among the debris. Mohamed Abu Taha described his experience returning home to Rafah as “indescribable,” likening it to a horror movie. The chaos of broken homes and lifeless bodies scattered through the streets starkly highlights the humanitarian crisis gripping the region.

Looking ahead, uncertainty looms over the prospects of long-term recovery. The United Nations has warned that reconstructing Gaza could take more than 350 years under continued Israeli blockade conditions, revealing that nearly 69% of structures in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed. Even as some families begin to return, many will face extended waits to start rebuilding their lives.

“We will remain in a tent, but the difference is that the bleeding will stop, the fear will stop, and we will sleep reassured,” said Abu Jarad, capturing the mixed feelings of hope and despair.

As the situation continues to unfold, the world watches closely, hoping for a sustainable peace that allows for recovery and rebuilding in Gaza.

For more on this unfolding humanitarian crisis, refer to HuffPost.