Israeli troops withdrew Sunday from the city after a four-month battle against Hamas. Displaced Palestinians returning there found immense destruction. Most went back to living in tents in Rafah.
The Israeli military says it has encircled Gaza's second largest city, where fierce battles with Hamas continue. Dozens of people have been killed and thousands have fled further south.
It's the first significant drawdown of troops since the war began, and could signal that fighting is being scaled back in some areas. But the biggest city in southern Gaza still is fiercely contested.
