In order to cope with the Israeli blockade, millions of dollars have been invested in tunnels between Gaza and Egypt. Israel has bombed many of them. Now investors want their money back.
"The investment drive started about a year ago, he [Bloomberg journalist, Jonathan Ferzinger] says, after it had become clear that tunnels were the only way to beat the Israeli blockade.
'All sorts of stuff was going under the border, everything from iPods to cows,' he told the BBC's World Update programme.
'As this became the only going enterprise in Gaza, people saw it as an investment opportunity.'
"Whatever compensation deal is reached with the investors, it is clear the tunnellers are not going away."
"Mr [Omar] Shaban [director of the Gaza-based economic research institute Pal-Think] stresses that the Israeli blockade is at the heart of the problem.
It has created an 'economic structure that is neither registered nor documented nor transparent,' he says."
FULL STORY: Going under in the Gaza Strip

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie