Storyline: Thousands of Gazans have been walking back to their neighborhoods since the ceasefire began on Oct 10, many knowing their homes no longer stand after two years of war. The neighborhoods that Palestinians are returning to look as if a massive earthquake has struck, homes collapsed, streets destroyed, yet people remain determined to stay. Bilal Al-Yazji is among those who have returned. After months of displacement, he came back to what used to be their home in Gaza City, now piles of rubble. He says rebuilding is the only way to move on. "I came back here to set up my tent and bring life back again over the ruins of my home. I'm trying to manage whatever I can by collecting stones and pieces of metal one by one, as I don't have money to buy anything new. When I first returned, I honestly couldn't recognize my neighborhood. I still can't believe this is the same place I once lived in," he said. Under the ceasefire agreement, both Israel and Hamas committed to a cessation of hostilities, the exchange of prisoners and detainees, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from certain areas of the enclave, and the entry of humanitarian aid and fuel to allow medical and relief teams to resume their operations. With building materials still blocked from entering Gaza, Bilal reuses rubble and wood to create a basic shelter ahead of the coming winter. "These stones I pulled out from under the rubble to build a small room to protect my family and myself. I also recovered this wood to reuse in rebuilding or for firewood, anything that can be useful," he said. Nearby, Hiyam Maqdad, another displaced Palestinian resident, also returned to her destroyed home in Sheikh Radwan, a district of Gaza City. She built one small room and a tent for her sons, in preparation for winter. "I returned to my home and found the Sheikh Radwan and Al-Nasr neighborhoods completely destroyed, beyond recognition. I'm trying to restore part of my damaged house and put up plastic sheets to prepare for winter. As you can see, there's almost nothing left to live with. My kids are still in the South of Gaza. I can't bring them back here, because I don't have money for their transfer," she said. The United Nations has urged Israel to open all crossings to allow the flow of aid and construction materials into Gaza, calling Rafah a vital lifeline for life-saving assistance. "When I drove into Gaza City earlier today, you could see people looking through the rubble for belongings to start their life. People are hopeful of returning. They want to start rebuilding their lives as soon as possible. And we in UNDP look forward to supporting this process as well. There will be many challenges, but that's part of the rebuilding efforts," said Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Special Representative in Gaza. According to United Nations figures, destruction across Gaza now stands at around 84 percent, while in some areas, such as Gaza City, the rate has reached as high as 92 percent. As reconstruction remains only a promise and shelters are gone, Gaza's families are taking matters into their own hands, rebuilding, surviving, and refusing to give up, even if in partially destroyed homes. Shotlist: Gaza City, Gaza Strip - Oct 20, 2025: 1. Various of rubble, damaged buildings 2. Various of displaced Palestinian Bilal Al-Yazji carrying building rubble 3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Bilal Al-Yazji, displaced Palestinian: "I came back here to set up my tent and bring life back again over the ruins of my home. I'm trying to manage whatever I can by collecting stones and pieces of metal one by one, as I don't have money to buy anything new. When I first returned, I honestly couldn't recognize my neighborhood. I still can't believe this is the same place I once lived in." 4. Various of people building shelters with rubble, wood 5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Bilal Al-Yazji, displaced Palestinian: "These stones I pulled out from under the rubble to build a small room to protect my family and myself. I also recovered this wood to reuse in rebuilding or for firewood, anything that can be useful." 6. Various of displaced Palestinian Hiyam Maqdad walking into her home 7. Broken ceiling 8. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Hiyam Maqdad, displaced Palestinian: "I returned to my home and found the Sheikh Radwan and Al-Nasr neighborhoods completely destroyed, beyond recognition. I'm trying to restore part of my damaged house and put up plastic sheets to prepare for winter. As you can see, there's almost nothing left to live with. My kids are still in the South of Gaza. I can't bring them back here, because I don't have money for their transfer." 9. Various of vehicles moving 10. Various of UN employees working 11. SOUNDBITE (English) Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Special Representative in Gaza: "When I drove into Gaza City earlier today, you could see people looking through the rubble for belongings to start their life. People are hopeful of returning. They want to start rebuilding their lives as soon as possible. And we in UNDP look forward to supporting this process as well. There will be many challenges, but that's part of the rebuilding efforts." 12. Various of rubble, damaged buildings. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]