Gaza

At the high-tech center where Israel's military keeps an eye on Hamas-controlled Gaza, soldiers monitor the border using remote-controlled cameras and machine guns.

After leaving Gaza City in 2008 for Vancouver, the Aloul family is back. War is heavy on their minds, but there are some surprising pros, including a lawn and swimming pool.

Israel's long-standing policy has been to isolate Hamas. But in a rare exception, Israel does permit Qatar to send large sums of money for projects in Gaza, the territory run by Hamas.

Dozens of soldiers have offered testimonials saying indiscriminate fire was tolerated, even encouraged in last summer's war in Gaza. This contributed to the high numbers of civilian deaths, they say.

The war between Israel and Hamas completely destroyed over 9,000 homes in Gaza. Not one has been rebuilt. Some, like the Otaish family, are cramming into the rubble-strewn rooms that remain.

The Islamic State is not believed to be in the Gaza Strip. But a flier in its name was recently sent around the territory. Both Israel and Hamas are trying to use it to their advantage.

You're not supposed to be able to buy cement commercially in Gaza, but some is being sold illicitly. The material is crucial for replacing homes and shops destroyed in the summer war.