The Gaza Strip needs major reconstruction after the Israeli military hit buildings and infrastructure. Experts say the U.N.-backed process of vetting projects ends up increasing costs and delays.
Some of the most intense attacks hit the Gaza Strip on Thursday night. But the clashes also brought large protests in the occupied West Bank — where at least 10 people reportedly died.
"This kind of escalation intensifies the hate, helps the radicals," an analyst who lives in Gaza says as Israel and Hamas launch attacks at each other.
Palestinian health officials say at least 30 people have been killed in Gaza, including 10 children. Three Israelis have been killed by rockets fired by Palestinian militants.
The violent exchange followed intense clashes between Israeli police and Palestinians in Jerusalem, prompting Jewish organizers to cancel the annual Jerusalem Day march.
An outgoing high official told NPR that Israel has a public health imperative to protect all Palestinians from COVID-19, plus a humanitarian obligation.
Israel aims to vaccinate 25% of its citizens by end of January but the country has not provided any to the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza, which are scrambling for shots.