This has been the struggle for displaced Palestinians returning to their homes in Gaza under the nearly month-old ceasefire: To re-create some bit of normal lives amid the death and destruction left by 16 months of Israeli bombardment and ground offensives against Hamas fighters.

The Nassar family managed to assemble a semblance of their home’s old living room. A sofa and some chairs survived, along with a small table they can gather around to eat.

Hundreds of Palestinians have begun to return to northern Gaza amid the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. In Jabalya, families have improvised shelters among the rubble of destroyed buildings. Camera: MOHAMMED SABER.