Israel provides an insight into Gaza's present state

In an uncommon visit, the Israeli military escorted CBS News deep into Gaza, specifically to the Shejaiya region in Gaza City, previously seen as the Palestinian territory's unofficial capital.

This area witnessed intense combat prior to a tenuous ceasefire brokered by the U.S. between Israel and Hamas. Currently, what's left is mostly devastation.

According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the remains of hostages, including that of Israeli-American soldier Itay Chen, have been found amidst this destruction. To date, 21 hostage bodies have been retrieved from Gaza.

CBS News was brought close to the 'yellow line,' a demarcation showing the limit of IDF's withdrawal according to the ceasefire. Up to now, independent reporting by international media inside Gaza has been restricted since hostilities commenced, although the military has organized a few escorted visits.

The yellow line divides Gaza, leaving the land eastward under Israeli control. Roughly 2 million Gazan residents are now confined within this line, living among war ruins.

Hamas, trying to regain dominance within this confined area, accuses individuals of collaborating with Israeli forces.

Though fraught with challenges and mutual allegations of ceasefire violations, the truce has remained in place for nearly a month.

Humanitarian aid convoys are slowly making their way into Gaza, providing essential supplies like food and fuel.

However, repatriating the bodies of hostages to Israel continues sluggishly, with seven bodies yet to be returned.

Instances of lethal violence sporadically challenge the peace, with Israel accusing Hamas of attacking its soldiers, prompting retaliatory strikes.

There's a looming uncertainty about future developments. A UN estimate suggests rebuilding Gaza could require a staggering $70 billion, though funding sources remain unspecified.

President Trump's 20-point peace initiative hints at a development blueprint to be crafted by specialists, yet details are scant. The initiative proposes the disarmament of Gaza, but skepticism persists concerning Hamas's willingness to disarm.

Should this disarmament not transpire, Israel might hesitate to remove its presence from the Gaza Strip, as envisioned by the U.S. plan.

If progress falters, Gazans face a precarious future with minimal prospects for reconstructing their lives, possibly on diminished territory.