Some Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has for two years waged a brutal and systematic war against Hamas, are returning home and beginning to reckon with the destruction caused by the conflict. A previous ceasefire agreement that came into effect in January lasted about two months.

The long-awaited return of 20 hostages still alive in Gaza was under way early Monday, after a deal to release captives held by Hamas and stop the fighting in Gaza was approved Thursday by Israel’s government.