More than 100 Palestinians freed into Gaza on Saturday returned to the territory to find it rendered unrecognisable by 15 months of war, while for many the fate of their loved ones was unknown.

The first phase of the ceasefire calls for the release of 33 hostages and nearly 2,000 prisoners, the return of Palestinians to northern Gaza and an increase in humanitarian aid to the devastated territory. Last week, wounded Palestinians were allowed to leave Gaza for Egypt for the first time since May.