Displaced Palestinians walk into ruins as ceasefire exposes a broken Gaza strip after 2 years of war

A fragile ceasefire has opened a narrow window in Gaza — just enough for thousands of displaced Palestinians to step back into what used to be their homes. Entire neighborhoods now lie in shattered concrete, twisted metal, and dust. The UN says 81% of all structures in the Strip were damaged, leaving families to search for memories inside unrecognisable streets. But as people return, fear lingers: will the calm hold, or is another wave of violence waiting? Gaza’s struggle isn’t over — it’s entering a painful new phase.