The joy fades as Gazans return to their destroyed homes

As Palestinians poured into the streets of Gaza to celebrate the ceasefire, moments of joy faded for many as they returned to their homes to find destruction.

In Jabalia, a town in northern Gaza that is home to the largest refugee camp on the list, photos and videos shared by residents revealed entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble.

Returning to the al-Faluja area of ​​Jabalia, Duaa al-Khalidi told BBC News: “We came out from under the rubble of our house where I survived with our two daughters.

“Here, under the ruins, the bodies of my husband, mother-in-law and my brother-in-law have been buried since October 9.”

The 28-year-old mother of two continued: “I just want their bodies to be buried with dignity.”

The Jabalia camp, once home to more than 250,000 Palestinians, was Israel’s largest and most violent military operation during the war, killing around 4,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas-run Health Ministry.

Also returning to Jabalia was Hussein Awda who documented his journey back from Gaza City.

The professional weightlifter who has represented Palestine internationally lost 10 members of his family at the start of the war.

“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 shared.

He also posted a video revealing the devastation of his three-story house and the sports club he owns.

“Here I lost the people closest to my heart: my brothers, my sons, my source of livelihood. The war killed everything beautiful inside us.”

In the southern city of Khan Younis, armed Hamas fighters marched through the streets to cheering and chanting crowds, according to the Reuters news agency.

Hamas police, dressed in police uniforms, were also deployed in some areas, hiding from view for months to avoid Israeli strikes.

Gaza City resident Ahmed Abu Ayham, who has taken refuge with his family in Khan Younis, told Reuters his hometown was “terrible”.

In the city, what he has According to experts, it suffered the greatest destructionpeople were seen waving the Palestinian flag and filming the scenes on mobile phones.

But the 40-year-old said it was no time for celebrations, even though the ceasefire could save lives.

“We are in pain, deep pain and it’s time to hug each other and cry,” she said.

Gazans also moved to the southern city of Rafah near the Egyptian border.

Mohammed Suleiman told BBC Arabic’s Gaza Lifeline: “Thank God, we received the ceasefire with joy and happiness.

“God willing, things will change for the better and we will return to Rafah. I hope that every displaced person can return safely to their home.”

Many fled the city after Israel ordered an evacuation ahead of an operation in the southern Gaza city.

In Rafah, Muhammad al-Jamal, a reporter for the Palestinian newspaper Al-Ayyam, reflected on his loss.

The house was razed to the ground; everything turned into rubble,” he said. “The hen house and the fig tree where we shared the fruits are now a thing of the past.”

The fragility of the ceasefire agreement was evident in the early hours.

The truce finally came into effect after a three-hour delay during which 19 Palestinians were reportedly killed in Israeli strikes on “terrorist targets”.

By evening, The three Israeli female hostages returned to Israel, 33 hostages will be released as part of the six-week first phase.

But the people of Gaza fear that the truce will never happen again.