The people of Gaza were quick to return to normal daily life on Thursday. After a week of bombardment and a rising death toll amongst them, news of a tentative ceasefire was recieved with a huge sigh of relief.

And then came the Hamas-led celebrations. Hundreds of people flocked to Gaza city to demonstrate their gratitude and unwavering support for the government of Gaza for their apparent hardball tactics that eventually led to the defeat of their common enemy, Israel.

Rounds and rounds of celebratory gunfire reverberated the city throughout the day. Relatives of those 'martyred' by the Israeli army were able to receive condolences from the community which had been confined to their homes or moved to 'safer' areas throughout the conflict.

But behind the facade of triumphalism is the war weary realism that one pseudo win will not nearly pave the way for any lasting peace for the people of Gaza.

Feeling of helplessness

While many quietly set about assessing the damage to their lives, clearing the debris from their homes and the grieving for the dead; the familiar feeling of helplessness had once again set in.

For Israel, a rollback on their demands for a longterm cessation of violations and an agreement to examine how the Gaza blockade could be eased was the price to pay for this ceasefire.

But with nearly 70 per cent of the electorate supporting the continuation of this latest offensive, many in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv are wondering why Prime Minister Netanyahu 'gave in' to the grounds put forward by Hamas.

Following the terrorist related bus bomb in Tel Aviv, the Israeli government's operation gained huge support from the electorate, many of whom would have given their blessing to the  much talked about ground offensive.

In many ways the Israeli concern was with the role of Egypt's newly appointed President Mohammad Morsi and whether he would side exclusively with Hamas or act as an earnest broker with the aid of the US.

'Iron Dome'

Israel succeeded in weakening the military capabilities of Hamas and they managed to assassinate some of its most senior militants, including military chief Ahmed Jabari, a long time foe of Israel but said to have been in perfidious talks about a possible lasting truce at the time he was killed.

 Israel's anti-missile system, the 'iron dome' is by far on top of the list of the few achievements that Israel can claim.

At this point it is clear that operation Pillar of Defence has strengthened exponentially the role of Hamas  amongst Palestinians in Gaza at least. Many refuse to admit openly that their leaders are unscrupulous when they hide amongst the community in the refugees camps, schools and hosptials there, knowing that as legitimate military targets they are putting the lives of innocent civilians, including small children at risk.

For the Israeli civilians in Ashkelon and Sderot, the ceasefire brings a break in the terrifying hostilities they endure daily.

But a break is all that is likley to occur.

Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza where many children dies, including two with 95 per cent burns

The living  room of the Abdullah family which was completely destroyed - a husband and wife with 9 children lived here.

A police station in this Gaza community is completely destroyed - the community faces a mammoth task in reconstructing the city.