Ismael Mohammed, 47, who was displaced with his family to the southern part of Gaza at Israel’s order during the war, gives water to his son Mohammed, 5, as they rest on the road while making their way back to their destroyed house in northern Gaza, 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