The returnees reunited with families but also said their homecomings carried symbolic weight — defying any schemes to permanently displace Gazans.

By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Mahmoud Issa CAIRO/GAZA, Feb 3 (Reuters) - Palestinian women among the few people let back into Gaza after Israel's delayed reopening of the Rafah crossing under last year's ceasefire have described being blindfolded,

Israeli strikes across Gaza killed at least 31 people on Saturday, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, the highest day’s death toll in over two months.

That made it a metaphorical lifeline for many Palestinians — a vital connection to the rest of the world. When the attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, ignited the war with Hamas, Rafah became the only potential escape route from Gaza, and tens of thousands flocked to the south in hopes of fleeing the conflict.

Hamas called Saturday's strikes "a renewed flagrant violation" and urged the United States and other mediating countries to push Israel to stop the strikes.

Israeli strikes in Gaza have killed at least 30 Palestinians, marking one of the highest tolls since the October ceasefire.

Hand-operated washing machines used in Gaza are being redeveloped to make them easier and cheaper to make so they can help more people. The Washing Machine Project was set up in 2018 with its manually-operated machines designed by a team of engineers in Bristol.

President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner laid out a plan for a "New Gaza." A close look suggests it makes room for fewer Palestinians and less housing.