France, Oct. 10 -- As the ceasefire between Hamas and Israel came into force in Gaza at midday local time on Friday, Palestinians are torn between cautious hope and disbelief - while medical charities stress the need for urgent humanitarian aid.

As Israel started pulling back troops from sectors of Gaza City and areas in the south of the Gaza Strip, thousands of displaced Palestinians began the slow and difficult process of returning to what remains of their homes.

"We're going home and we're facing a pile of rubble," Muhanad, displaced from Tal al-Hawa in Gaza City and now living further south in Deir el-Balah, told RFI.

"What remained of our house has been destroyed, so we're returning to a harsh and exhausting reality."

The United ...