When Inas Al-Batniji finally returned to her longed-for Gaza City this week, she was amazed to find her residential tower block still standing.

Situated close to the sea in the territory’s pulverised north, the building seemed to be the only one intact after 15 months of brutal war between Israel and Hamas following the October 7 massacre.

The prospect – miraculous, given the circumstances – of a night in her own bed after such a long and draining period of displacement was tantalisingly close.

But, as ever in this convoluted conflict, the reality was not what it seemed.

“Unfortunately, I arrived at the tower, there was very great damage and the stairs were destroyed,” the 49-year-old told The Telegraph.

“We searched for a long time for a way to get into the apartment, but we couldn’t.”