In pictures: lives ripped apart by Israel’s bombing in Gaza

But when he returned to his home during a brief humanitarian truce on Saturday, he could hardly believe his eyes. Heidi Levine for The National

‘I almost fell over when I saw it. People around me had to hold me up,’ said Mr Al Masri, who has worked for nearly 15-years as a driver and translator for journalists covering Gaza. Heidi Levine for The National

His 15-year-old, three-level house was reduced to shredded piles of rebar, concrete and mangled possessions. Heidi Levine for The National

‘My wife started crying and shouting. She was hitting her head in grief,’ he recalled. Heidi Levine for The National

The family is now living with about 60 other relatives in a three-bedroom flat in downtown Gaza City that lacks electricity, furniture and hope. Heidi Levine for The National

Israel’s nearly three-week campaign of air strikes has not only levelled many homes in the Gaza Strip, it has also crushed the joy of celebrating Eid for many families such as the Al Masri family.