Some Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, where Israel has for two years waged a brutal and systematic war against Hamas, are returning home and beginning to reckon with the destruction caused by the conflict.

Israel freed almost 2,000 Palestinians from its jails on Monday as part of a Gaza ceasefire deal, prompting emotional scenes of families reunited with loved ones, some of whom had spent decades behind bars.

New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani faced criticism for his ceasefire statement that accused Israel of apartheid and occupation on Tuesday.

Two officials tell The Associated Press that food distribution sites run by the controversial U.S.-Israel backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation are being shut down under the terms of the ceasefire deal.