Tens of thousands of displaced Palestinians are returning to north Gaza today, many for the first time in over a year, as the Israel-Hamas ceasefire enters its second week. But most Palestinians will be returning to find their homes reduced to rubble. The U.N. estimates 92% of homes in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged during Israel’s 15-month bombardment. Hala Shallah is a 19-year-old Palestinian heading back to Gaza City.

Hala Shallah: “We experienced tremendous hardship from the moment we left Gaza City. We were displaced from Gaza City’s Shuja’iyya neighborhood. After leaving, we spent two nights — one night in al-Din, then we moved to Khan Younis and stayed at Al-Aqsa University. We’ve been displaced multiple times. When we heard the war had stopped and people could return to Gaza City, we desperately wanted to go back to Gaza City because we missed our home and everyone in Gaza City. Our house was destroyed, but we’re fine with living among the rubble.”