A year after Israel began it's devistating attack on Gaza, Palestinians have seen little in the way of progress. In the months following the attack, South African judge Richard Goldstone presented a report citing Israel's crimes against humanity to the United Nations and Hamas compiled its own report of possible violations on its part; yet ordinary Palestinians in the coastal region still reel from the effects of the destruction, both economic and physical, caused by Israel's violent onslaught.

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JUSTICE REMAINS ELUSIVE

Despite numerous condemnations issued by human rights organizations, including the United Nations-backed Goldstone Report, Gaza remains traumatized and isolated. Yet with reconstruction forging ahead unaided, a glimmer of hope perserveres

A Palestinian boy spends his days in the Ezbet Abed Rabbo district of Jabaliya, an area particularly hard hit during Israel's offensive earlier this year. Most of the district's residents are still living in impoverished and overcrouded quarters.

A Palestinian woman in the Jabaliya district of Ezbet Abed Rabbo is fortunate to have been among one of the first families to rebuild after Israel's offensive. With the Israeli embargo on basic building materials, including cement, many Palestinians have resorted to mud-bricks for building their houses.

The arts scene remains vibrant, even in Gaza. These Palestinian rappers were part of an event called "Two Cities, One Concert".

A week after Israel's deadly 22-day offensive in the Gaza Strip, the territory's 1.5 million residents are still picking up the pieces in an attempt to resume their daily lives among the enormous destruction left behind by Israel's assault.

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PICKING UP THE PIECES

Despite the enormous damage caused by Israel's attacks, many Palestinians in the Gaza Strip remain determined to continue with their daily lives as before - despite the destruction.

Palestinian laborers repair a smuggling tunnel that was damaged in Israeli air strikes along the border between Gaza and Egypt. Since Israel imposed its blockade of Gaza over 18 months ago, the hundreds of tunnels between the Gaza Strip and Egypt have been the main supply lines for basic goods, such as clothing, food, and medicine. (Hatem Omar, Maan Images)

A Palestinian policeman remains on duty in front of the ruins of a police station in the Zaitoun neighborhood of Gaza City. The station was destroyed in an Israeli air strike two weeks ago. (Wissam Nassar, Maan Images)

A Palestinian family huddles around a campfire in a makeshift tent constructed near their home, which was demolished during Israel's offensive. (Wissam Nassar, Maan Images)

Palestinian fishermen return to work at the port of Gaza City. Five Palestinians have been wounded from Israeli navy fire since a truce was declared between Israel and Hamas last week. (Mohamed Al-Zanon, Maan Images)

Palestinian Muslim worshipers gather for Friday prayers outside of the Al-Taqwa mosque in Gaza City, which was destroyed during Israel's attacks. (Wissam Nassar, Maan Images)

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ASSESSING THE DESTRUCTION

Israel struck hundreds of targets throughout the Gaza Strip during its offensive, the majority of them civilian - including schools, hospitals, police stations and residential buildings.

Palestinians walk past buildings that were heavily damaged by Israeli attacks in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. (Hatem Omar, Maan Images)

A Palestinian man inspects the interior of the Jazeera Hotel, which was destroyed during Israeli attacks on Gaza City. (Wissam Nassar, Maan Images)

Palestinians sit among the ruins of destroyed buildings in the southern city of Rafah. (Hatem Omar, Maan Images)

A Palestinian man walks through the rubble of destroyed buildings in the center of Gaza City. (Wissam Nassar, Maan Images)

A view of the As-Saraya prison and an adjacent Palestinian Authority security compound in Gaza City that were destroyed during Israel's offensive. (Wissam Nassar, Maan Images)

A Palestinian boy stands inside the shell of a destroyed home in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. (Hatem Omar, Maan Images)

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BACK TO SCHOOL

Schools throughout the Gaza Strip closed for nearly a month during Israel's offensive, as most Gazans were afraid to even leave their homes. Several schools and universities were struck during Israel's attacks, and students are only now returning to class - many of them to find their schools in ruins.

Palestinian children attend their first day of class in over a month inside a tent erected beside the ruins of their destroyed school in the southern Gaza Strip town of Rafah. (Wissam Nassar, Maan Images)

A Palestinian elementary school student salvages books from the ruins of the Khalil Al-Nubani school, which was destroyed by Israeli artillery attacks in Gaza City. (Wissam Nassar, Maan Images)

A Palestinian student at a school in Gaza City holds up a drawing depicting her experiences during Israel's 22-day assault. (Mohamed Al-Zanon, Maan Images)

Palestinian boys sit outside their United Nations-run school in Gaza City after the first day of classes following Israel's assault. (Mohamed Al-Zanon, Maan Images)

Palestinian children return to class for the first time in over a month at a United Nations-run school in Gaza City. (Mohamed Al-Zanon, Maan Images)

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