Palestinians describe destruction in Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis

Earlier the Israeli military announced the conclusion of a month-long assault in southern and central Gaza.

Some Palestinians returning to their homes found widespread devastation in parts of Deir el-Balah in central Gaza and in the southern city of Khan Younis.

In Khan Younis, 48-year-old Amal al-Astal told AFP that both his house and his neighbors' homes were destroyed. "One of our neighbors' corpses was decomposed there," he said.

In Deir al-Balah, Mohamed Abu Thuria described finding "massive destruction everywhere" upon his return to the central Gaza city.