Gazans Survey Devastation as Ceasefire Holds, Israelis Await News of Hostages

Gazans surveyed the devastation in their old neighborhoods on Monday, as a day-old ceasefire between Hamas and Israel held. Palestinians returned to parts of the Gaza Strip they had fled, picking their way through vast swaths of rubble and trying to salvage what they could from the wreckage of their former homes.

"People can barely recognize the crushed places where they used to live," said Montaser Bahja, an English teacher, who visited his old neighborhood in the northern city of Jabaliya. In a video shared with The New York Times, Mr. Bahja, 50, can be seen hurrying through the streets with his son Alhassan, 21, and trying to reconcile the piles of rubble with their memories.

The ceasefire, brokered by Egypt, came into effect on Sunday after 15 months of fighting that killed more than 2,100 Palestinians and 73 Israelis. The war, which began in December 2008, was the deadliest conflict between Israel and Hamas since the Islamist group seized control of Gaza in 2007.

The ceasefire has been met with cautious optimism by both sides. Israeli officials have said they will use the pause in fighting to assess the situation and decide on their next steps. Hamas leaders have said they will use the ceasefire to rebuild Gaza and to press for the release of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.

However, there are concerns that the ceasefire could be fragile. Both sides have accused each other of violating the terms of the agreement in the past. And there are still many unresolved issues, including the status of Jerusalem and the right of return for Palestinian refugees.

Despite the challenges, the ceasefire offers a glimmer of hope for peace in the region. It is the first time in 15 months that the fighting has stopped, and it gives both sides a chance to step back and consider their options. It is hoped that the ceasefire can lead to a more permanent solution to the conflict.