Palestinians return to their destroyed houses by Israeli strikes in the east of northern Gaza Strip, on January 19, 2009. Right after a ceasefire was declared by both Israel and Gaza militant groups, thousands of Gaza residents went back to their homes they had fled during the war, only to see how huge the destruction was. [Xinhua]

A Palestinian woman cries in front of destroyed houses by Israeli strikes in the east of northern Gaza Strip, on January 19, 2009. Right after a ceasefire was declared by both Israel and Gaza militant groups, thousands of Gaza residents went back to their homes they had fled during the war, only to see how huge the destruction was. [Xinhua]