Gazans were surveying the vast damage to their neighborhoods on Monday as anxious Israelis awaited news about the condition of the hostages.The New York Times reports that in Jerusalem, the current time is 9:33 p.m. on January 20. However, looking ahead to the future, on January 20, 2025 at 2:29 p.m. ET, live updates show that a cease-fire has taken hold in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
As the cease-fire continues, Gazans are returning to their destroyed homes and neighborhoods, surveying the vast damage caused by 15 months of war. Meanwhile, anxious Israelis are awaiting news about the condition of three hostages who were recently released by Hamas.
In Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, young Palestinians can be seen atop the remains of Israeli military armored vehicles, a stark reminder of the destruction caused by the conflict. Nearby, a destroyed neighborhood is captured in a photo by Bashar Taleb of Agence France-Presse.
On the Israeli side of the border, near Kibbutz Nahal Oz, a memorial stands in honor of the female soldiers and observers who were killed or kidnapped on October 7, 2023. The memorial overlooks Gaza, a constant reminder of the ongoing conflict.
In Poria Illit, Israel, a funeral is held for Oron Shaul, whose body was retrieved from Gaza after 10 years. The emotional scene is captured by Amit Elkayam for The New York Times.
As the cease-fire allows for the exchange of hostages and prisoners, Palestinians in Rafah can be seen rushing to take aid from trucks entering Gaza. In Jenin, West Bank, a freed Palestinian prisoner, Nidaa Zaghebi, is greeted by her daughters after her release in a hostage-prisoner swap.
In Jabaliya, a city in northern Gaza, Palestinians are seen returning to their destroyed homes. The devastation is evident as they walk past collapsed buildings, captured in photos by Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
On the Israeli side of the border, soldiers can be seen hugging near the border, relieved that the cease-fire is holding. In Beit Lahia, a city in northern Gaza, the heavily damaged Kamal Adwan Hospital is captured in a photo by Omar Al-Qattaa of Agence France-Presse.
As the day progresses, Palestinians continue to pick through the rubble of their former homes, salvaging what they can. The Gazan Civil Defense reports that nearly half of its employees have been killed, wounded, or detained during the war.
The scenes on either side of the border embody the bittersweet emotions felt as the cease-fire takes hold. While Palestinians celebrate the release of prisoners and the return of hostages, the destruction and loss caused by the conflict is still evident. As the truce continues, both sides hope for a lasting peace and an end to the violence.
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