Footage from a drive from Rafah to Khan Younis shows the scale of destruction in the Gaza Strip as Palestinians confront an apocalyptic landscape of devastation after a ceasefire paused more than 15 months of fighting between Israel and Hamas.

Israeli officials attempted to downplay reports of the Palestinian Authorities’ role in Gaza and the possibility of a two-state solution that would help normalize relations with Saudi Arabia.

Israel said it will maintain control of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip during the first phase of the ceasefire with Hamas. A statement by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office on Wednesday denied reports that the Palestinian Authority would control the crossing.

Israel will maintain control of the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and Gaza during the initial ceasefire phase with Hamas. The Palestinian Authority will not manage the crossing, and vetted Palestinians will stamp passports.

An Israeli sniper shot and killed a Palestinian child in Gaza's central Rafah area despite a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas.

More than 3,200 aid trucks have entered the Gaza Strip from various crossings since the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas took effect on Sunday. The ceasefire agreement initiates six weeks of calm,

Saudi media reported Wednesday that the heads of the Mossad and the Shin Bet security agency agreed with the head of Egyptian intelligence that the Palestinian Authority will manage the Palestinian side of the Rafah crossing, under UN supervision.

An NBC News crew returned to Rafah's Al-Najjar Hospital months after Israel's ground offensive forced the hospital to close and thousands to evacuate. Dr. Marwan al-Hams, the director of field hospitals in Gaza,

Israeli troops have pulled back to the edges of Gaza, the first hostages have been released and many Palestinians have returned to what remains of their homes in the first few days of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal.

While some Palestinians were able to dig up miscellaneous items deep under the rubble, many felt hopeless after dreaming about the possibility of returning to their homes and repairing or rebuilding them.

An Israeli tank killed two Palestinians west of Gaza's Rafah, escalating tensions despite a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which went into effect recently. The incident raises concerns over the longevity and stability of the peace deal.