Jabalia, Palestinian Territories: Mohammed Al-Najjar, a 33-year-old Gazan, returned to the war-torn Jabalia refugee camp, only to find it largely in ruins after a recent Israeli offensive.

Najjar and other residents are struggling to locate their homes amidst the massive destruction caused by weeks of Israeli bombardment focused on northern Gaza.

The area, once home to over 100,000 people, has been reduced to rubble, with many families sifting through the debris for their belongings.

Suad Abu Salah, a 47-year-old returnee, described Jabalia as being wiped off the map.

The current conflict was triggered by a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, which killed 1,189 people and resulted in 252 hostages being taken.

Israel’s retaliatory strikes have claimed over 36,379 lives in Gaza.

Despite the devastation and ongoing fear of further aggression, residents like Najjar remain determined to stay on their land, even if it means living in temporary shelters.