Ismael Mohammed, 47, and his family, who were displaced to the southern part of Gaza at Israel’s order during the war, return to their destroyed house amid a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, in Gaza City, January 28, 2025. Deir al-Balah is only 11 miles (around 18 km) from their Jabalia home, but cars, which must queue for hours at an Israeli checkpoint, are rare and expensive to hire and, like most families, the Mohammeds had to walk. “I haven’t slept for the past three nights from joy. I long for my land, my town Jabalia, and the people of the north, to see our kin,” said Ismael. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas