GAZA | Post-War Reconstruction?

Can Gaza be rebuilt? Israel's war against Hamas has led to catastrophic losses and extensive damage. The conflict, marked by a huge aerial bombing campaign and a ground invasion by Israeli forces, has resulted in the deaths of approximately 35,000 people, injuries to nearly 80,000, and forced over a million people to flee. The estimated infrastructure damage is around $18.5 billion, severely affecting housing, healthcare, education, and commercial sectors. But just how can Gaza be reconstructed?
Reconstruction will require a multifaceted approach involving immediate humanitarian aid and long-term rebuilding and development. This includes stabilising the territory and establishing a new administration, possibly under international guidance from bodies like the United Nations or a coalition, including the European Union and the Arab League. Security measures will also be paramount. This will require a new police force, overseen by a policing mission and a peacekeeping mission, to maintain order and ensure security on the border with Israel. Additionally, extensive financial aid will be needed for reconstruction. One way to do this is through a donor conference involving major global and regional actors. These efforts must aim to rebuild physical structures and foster economic development, social cohesion, and, ultimately, sustainable peace in the region.
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VIDEO CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Titles
00:45 Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Gaza
02:07 Israel vs Hamas: The Destruction of Gaza
03:48 Reconstructing Gaza: Stabilisation and Administration
05:50 Managing Security in Gaza: Policing and Peacekeeping
08:13 How Will Gaza’s Reconstruction be Paid For?
10:02 Preparing for Palestinian Self-Governance
11:42 The Next Steps in Gaza?
SOURCES AND FURTHER READING
United Nations
www.un.org
United Nations Peacekeeping
peacekeeping.un.org/en
UN OCHA | Palestine
www.ochaopt.org/
United Nations Policepolice.un.org/en
World Bank-United Nations Report
www.worldbank.org/en/news/pre...
World Bank | West Bank and Gaza
www.worldbank.org/en/country/...
European Union | Palestine
neighbourhood-enlargement.ec....
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#Gaza #Palestine #Israel #Reconstruction

[@j3j326]

Rebuilding Gaza will no doubt be expensive and will take years and be a complicated process, this is a very informative video.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you very much. I thought it might be useful to lay out the range of factors that must be considered in any reconstruction effort.

[@TKUA11]

Agreed. What if they just build a new Gaza in Iran or Saudi Arabia? There’s plenty of room there and they can even have beach access

[@tauceti8060]

​@@TKUA11And the USA can also give up some of their land for Isreal

[@charlesscott4722]

@@TKUA11 How about we move Israel to Texas or Florida instead?

[@bilic8094]

​@@JamesKerLindsayIt's unusual friday without a video James i usually receive it around 2:30 in the afternoon.

[@austinsmith8584]

Nobody will give one penny if Hamas is in power in Gaza. Nobody wants to pay the price of collateral damage that it will cost to up root Hamas. Unfortunately, James, this is not Unprecedented, every week I watch you speak about some geopolitical situation Yemen, Sudan, Syria. What Happened Gaza is bad, but it’s very precedented. You share that precedent every week.

[@datboib3432]

I agree. The term “unprecedented” has definitely become much too overused & the actual meaning/impact of it has been lost at this point. If everything is “unprecedented” then what exactly has been going on all throughout history?

[@christianlibertarian5488]

@@datboib3432 I agree with you. If anything is “precedented” in history, it is the reconstruction of a country after a terrible war.

[@muhammadfarid8740]

the one who destroyed it must pay for all the damages, in which we all know whom but can't talk about it here since it'll be marked as "antisemitism" 🤣​@@datboib3432

[@mr.coolmug3181]

Unfortunately all our pennies go to 1srael who rebuild Gaza and settle 1sraelis there. Our support for evil is unprecedented.

[@samanthagarbettcharles4205]

Its not upto anyone but the Palestinians .The Occupiers need to leave ,they are the problem..

[@CJ-Fortes_Atque_Fidelis]

Reconstruction in Gaza is pointless if Hamas remain in power. Violence will never cease in or to come out of Gaza or the West Bank even if Israel cease to exist as the Sunni-Shia schism is eternal so any peace will be temporary. Anyone who doesn't understand what I am saying does not understand the Middle East and is missing the forest for the trees. Anyone who ignores Islam's doctrinal aspect concerning Israel either lacks integrity or is simply a hypocrite.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. But I do discuss all this in the video. There is no point talking about reconstruction unless Hamas is removed. What I am looking at is an integrated way of doing this and building a new, more peaceful Gaza.

[@mr.coolmug3181]

What do Shiites and Sunnis have to do with Gaza or Hamas or the plight of the Palestinians? This is absurd, you both talk as if the facts haven't been plain for the whole world to see for several months. James you have made some glaring omissions in this video.

[@CJ-Fortes_Atque_Fidelis]

@@mr.coolmug3181 there is a proxy war going on within the Palestinian camps between Hamas and Fatah, Israel is just their common enemy. Peace, prosperity and a two-state solution are not the goals of the two terrorist factions. Chaos, control, corruption, and ultimately what Hamas want is a greater Islamic caliphate beyond Palestine and what Fatah wants is a one state Palestine solution. Is anyone so vain and naive as to believe the main stream Palestine narrative? How can there ever be peace when evil genocidal intentions are promoted as human rights and dignity and the right to self-determination?

[@professorquarter]

Beyond what he says in the video, I think ensuring Hamas' destruction revolved in large part on the success of reconstruction efforts.

[@chef5588]

Given the continued creation of new settlements in the West Bank and the sentiments expressed by some in Israel about Gaza, the ideological and foreign influences over Palestinian politics, and the complexity of international reconstruction, I am NOT convinced the future is looking anything but extremely bleak for the people of Gaza and Palestine as a whole.

[@user-yg7fv3jo8v]

Hamas is already in the West Bank because it is a matter of ideology.

[@FairyCRat]

Oh boy, I really appreciate the time you commit into doing research on this topic and delivering a fair analysis. With the degree of emotionality in people's responses when this one conflict gets brought up, reading comments must not always be an easy task.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much! I know there will be voices at the ends of the scale who will be angry, and perhaps abusive, but I’ve tended to find that a lot of my videos on the Middle East attract balanced opinions. I think many outsiders can see the way the conflict has evolved and know that there is plenty of blame to go around. I think the statements that Hamas is a brutal organisation that deserves to be eradicated, and that Israel has a right to defend itself but has gone too far can coexist in most people’s minds. Besides after the recent abuse I’ve had from India (one should never criticise Modi, apparently), this is likely to be relatively tame.

[@ShadowOfMoria]

@@JamesKerLindsay I don't really understand the ideal of being emotionally attached in regards of such events? As an academic I think you should have the responsibility to take the right side instead of trying to be neutral. Israels actions have been already deemed officially as a genocide, so no need for dancing around the topic is necessary. Furthermore, people are rightfully angry for the fate palestinians have suffered. The Gaza genocide isn't a war against Hamas, I think even saying that is taking a problematic stance.

[@FairyCRat]

@@ShadowOfMoria I think the genocide is something closely related to but distinct from the war. Israel certainly has declared war on Hamas and has the purported goal to defeat it, but one can say that in doing so, it is also committing a genocide on Gaza's civilian population.

[@EbonySaints]

​@@ShadowOfMoriaReligion. It's one of the major reasons as to why the US has such an outsized support for Israel despite the atrocities from the IDF, especially from the Republican party. When a good contingent of your base has an unshakable belief that: - Israel is the promised land and Jews are God's chosen. - Israel's reformation is one of the supposed last pieces of the prophecy to be fulfilled before the end times. - Any and all conflicts there can easily be seen as the beginning of the end and thus where the pre-tribulation rapture can happen and immediately take up most of your base to avoid seven years of hell. Not supporting Israel is tantamount to stating that you want to spit in the face of God and go against his will, not to mention keep everyone who was a "true believer" stuck on Terra Firma. Nevermind the fact that doing so would hypothetically result in all but 144,000 Jews being slain, they want to see Jesus. Now sometimes this part is overplayed, but considering how large of a role the evangelical church plays in American life and how despite most of them claiming to be "non-denominational" tend to stick to that core tenet, it explains why quite a few Americans tend to give Israel a lot of latitude. The left (that opposed Israel. There's still a decent amount of support for it in the Democratic party and that's why Biden is so lukewarm, because pleasing one means losing the other.) is harder to condense into such a category, since opposition comes from multiple angles.

[@dyawr]

​@@ShadowOfMoria Israel's actions have absolutely *not* been deemed officially a genocide, lol.

[@kamimakesstories6337]

I don't see how an international body would be acceptable to the people on the ground in Gaza or Palestine more generally. Even if it was, how many countries in the middle east would accept it? It would seem very easy to claim it's just neocolonialism even if it wasn't And let's not forget the Iranian angle. Why would Iran ever want Israel to have a peaceful neighbor? They need to see that peace is in their own best interests and they simply don't because the state itself is simply too antisemitic

[@FlamingBasketballClub]

Since when is Iran antisemitic? 💀💀💀🤡🤡🤡

[@MotiMota15]

As long as Iran is involving itself in the Israeli-Arab conflict, there will be no peace in the Middle East.

[@ottomanosman2463]

The issue with the Palestinians is they need to find a host to suck it, before betray it. The Ottoman Empire previously offered them protection, then they rebelled in 1916. The nature of Palestinians is betrayal and you can't trust a people like this. Even Erdogan fouls them with his pro-Palestinian rhetoric while still retaining ties with Israel.

[@AL-lh2ht]

Iran is a theocracy. That is the issue. Gaza issues is it being ran by paid terrorists by foreign powers.

[@luishernandezblonde]

That's fascinating as well. I am also in doubt with it.

[@daveh893]

I think that the financing of rebuilding Gaza will also be complicated by the financing of rebuilding Ukraine. Can both receive the amount necessary to rebuild?

[@bilic8094]

Most of the areas that are destroyed in Ukraine are in the conflict zone like mariupol and the Russians are already rebuilding it at a fast pace.

[@AL-lh2ht]

@@bilic8094nice lie vatnic. You pretend Russia isn’t bombing every city in Ukraine.

[@AL-lh2ht]

Dude Gaza is incredibly small.

[@classic.cameras]

The corruption is what I worry about more. There are too many people in both areas that will take advantage to line their own pockets.

[@luishernandezblonde]

How are you going to do that?

[@PikeProductions23]

The more you talk about it, the more it sounds like this will be a daunting task. The post-conflict solution for Gaza will undoubtedly be messy and difficult.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. I certainly don’t want to put anyone off the idea. But I also hoped it would give an idea of just how massive a task it will be.

[@peterkops6431]

Been waiting for this one. Worth the wait! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@briancops3798]

Great video! I wonder if it would be better to restart the UN Trusteeship Council in order to perform the tasks that you have mentioned. As for candidate countries, I instantaneously think about India, Kenya, and Morocco.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks Brian. You are right. Ukraine's reconstruction is also a really important question. However, I think the scale and scope of the devastation in Gaza, and the fact that the Palestinians have nowhere else to go, makes it a truly pressing humanitarian issue. It will be interesting to see which countries could come together to assist with Gaza.

[@briancops3798]

@@JamesKerLindsay I don't mention Ukraine, so I'm not certain where that came from. But you are absolutely right, it is a humanitarian disaster, for which a solution is needed. Therefor I propose the UN Trusteeship Council. Do you think that this is a possibility?

[@airtale8725]

UN aids will be stolen again and will be used to extort civilians and create another dictatorship. Gaza should either be integrated by Israel or aided and traded with by neighbour states.

[@mimisor66]

What about the Palestinians themselves? Are there no other political movements there capable of leading their people towards a more peaceful resolution of the situation? If they can't produce a political movement that promotes cooperation with Israel, I do not think there will be any meaningful development of the area.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Great point. This will have to be part of the overall process. As I mentioned, any integrated effort will also have to include reconciliation and peace building, alongside deradicalisation.

[@sumiben5211]

@@JamesKerLindsayderadicalization is impossible in Muslim societies. I am an ex Muslim and know what I am talking about. The hate of the Jews is a big part of the faith.

[@TheSomalist]

​Professor, more than 15 thousand children were killed by Israel. And you are talking about Hamas? ​@@JamesKerLindsay

[@mr.coolmug3181]

Israel isn't in a very cooperative mood right now.

[@noaoah3662]

Unfortunately, what Israel does is not helping and never helped. Groups like Hamas which you imply find their roots in Israeli actions and direct/indirect funding.

[@philsidock]

Thank you for making a thorough, straightforward video on this complicated subject. 👍

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you very much. I really appreciate it.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Something a little different this week. Instead of looking at a current issue, I thought I would take a look at a possible major development on the horizon. The question of Gaza's reconstruction raises all sorts of questions. For a start, will Israel actually leave? If so, do you see Gaza being rebuilt? Who should take the lead? Who should pay for it (will the US taxpayer really foot the bill)? And which states could be involved in peacekeeping (are Arab states out of the question, or are they the only real option)? And all this also touches on another issue I didn’t discuss in the video. Could Gaza even become a separate Palestinian state? (Maybe a topic for another video.) As always, I look forward to your thoughts and comments below.

[@VladTevez]

Χριστός Ανέστη professor, I hope you'll have nice flaounes!

[@JamesKerLindsay]

@@VladTevez And a very Happy Easter to you too! I was in Zorbas this afternoon (for the second time this week). I love flaounes! :-)

[@skeetrix5577]

thanks for covering this topic, Professor. I have been wondering for a couple months now what Israel's end game is with this whole deal. have a great weekend and once again thanks for the excellent content you make every week!

[@JamesKerLindsay]

@@skeetrix5577 Thank you so much! Yes, it is a topic that doesn't get much coverage. You'd think that policymakers would raise this issue if only to make it clear that ethnic cleansing will not be tolerated. They really need to be talking about reconstruction and international administration.

[@jellyrcw12]

Incredible video, thank you giving this an honest perspective. I truly hope that peace is achieved in the region during our life time. I would love to be able to tell future generations that we lived through a great time of peace.

[@DavidMFChapman]

I’m happy that someone is looking at the challenges of post-war Gaza. Imagine what could be achieved if the resources currently being applied to waging war could be redirected to making peace.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks so much. I completely agree. It will be a huge and complex task, but it needs to be done.

[@IllusiveDude]

We need more videos like this prof.james! More insight into a countrys current events instead spending most of the video talking about the nations history

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. But it's often the historical context that's missing in the mainstream coverage of events.

[@contact594]

@@JamesKerLindsay There are two narratives in the historical context, both sides are right.

[@muhammadfarid8740]

​they should be united by democracy, not separated by religious extremists like the one who expelled the others and call out their rebellious actions as antisemitic. @@contact594

[@benjauron5873]

Thank you for covering this. I actually wrote a term paper on reconstructing Gaza for an Urban Planning class I took in college, but that was nigh on 20 years ago, so it would have little relevance to today. I'm sure that the only thing that those sane among us can agree on is that before any reconstruction of Gaza can start, Hamas rule in Gaza has to end.

[@mcyte314]

The fact that this first crucial step seems nearly impossible to achieve severely limits my optimism for the Gaza reconstruction effort.

[@mr.coolmug3181]

Does Israel's rule in Gaza have to end?

[@mcyte314]

Why would anybody think that this undertaking has the slightest chance of success? It will fail the same way ghat Afghanistan has failed. Maybe even faster and mire violently. For the Palestianians the way has been down the last 60 years. And thi seems only to accelerate recently.

[@simon6556]

Nice video outlining the possibility of reconstruction of Gaza. There's alot of political, economic, financial and security factors to take into account for reconstructing a place destroyed by war. It's not just the physical building blocks, but I guess also psychological building blocks. No point trying to rebuild a place if the people are still in a destructive mindset. The implications when we apply this Gaza make reconstruction a reallly daunting task...

[@sandytatham3592]

"Steps will also be needed to construct a new political system and build peace". You are up against an ideology which won't disappear easily. This is from a Gaza engineer who contacted me on Instagram asking for money and help to migrate to Australia. He doesn't support Hamas, but says: "It seems that you have forgotten that *Palestine is our land* and every individual is required to defend it, and this is not only a national duty, but a religious and ideological duty that every Muslim in every country must have."

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you. You are right. It will be a huge task, in every way. On top of legitimate grievances, there is also a layer of radicalisation that will need to be tackled. But, as someone who has worked on conflict throughout my career, I firmly believe that a lot of conflict is directly tied to economic development. When you have nothing, you have nothing to lose. When people have a good job, nice house, etc. they start to think differently. This is why reconstruction also needs to be about improving people’s quality of life alongside delivering results on Palestinian statehood.

[@sandytatham3592]

@@JamesKerLindsay: I appreciate your reply and acknowledge your personal experience, but my Muslim engineer from Gaza has told his Instagram followers that he did have a lovely home (he has posted many photos), a family (he has a sweet daughter whom he calls Lulu) and a good job, but he still wants to annihilate Israel. And this is from an article dated October 16 in The Guardian: "Recruits to Islamic militant groups are likely to be well educated and relatively wealthy, with those aspiring to be suicide bombers among the best off, a study by the World Bank has found."

[@JSK010]

@@sandytatham3592 the idea that poverty leads to radicalisation is bunk indeed.

[@sandytatham3592]

@@JSK010: I thought that was the case.Thank you.

[@BREx1000]

The buildings can and will be rebuilt, but who will live in the rebuilt Gaza, the old residents or the settlers?

[@thomassenbart]

Settlers? All land is conquered land and Gaza is about to be conquered.

[@ilyac3185]

When there are more comments than likes you know you have a contentious topic

[@WasLostButNowAmFound]

803 likes 400ish comments.

[@andrigeogiou8420]

Of course and can be rebuild. ..the problem ,are the lifes they gone . James , ..sir ! ALL ,the BEST on your new video

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you. I agree. Many lives destroyed. But hopefully a new start can be made.

[@Halil.Ayhan1]

Thank you professor The European Union's effort to stop the war will be invaluable.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you. I completely agree. I think the EU could be a vital part of any reconstruction process.

[@Neil-Y2K]

Thank you Professor for sharing your thoughts and knowledge on this video. In addition to the rebuild of Gaza there will need to be an equal effort in the Western world to reunite people as this issue has polarised much of the citizens of Europe and America.

[@eddiebrune8209]

It's such a great comfort to see Muslim communities growing all over Europe and in the USA. Allahu akbar

[@naymatunc-rc6vs]

Its gonna be more beautiful than ever before its gonna be more safe than ever before its gonna be more peaceful than ever before ☝️🇵🇸 with the help of ALLAH (CC)

[@chechenknightslaillaillall2047]

The Palestinians today are no longer the people I know about. Back in the 1990s, when Russia bombed our beloved Chechnya, the Palestinians volunteered to fight for our cause of freedom. Yet in 2020s, they turned 360 degrees, become supporters of Russian imperialism when Russia persecuted the Muslims of Caucasus and Crimea, as well as Russia's support for cleansing of Muslims by Serbia in Kosovo, Bosnia and Albania. It shocked me how treacherous they can be, what did Moscow offer them?

[@olivka7560]

Beloved Chechenya? In Chechenya there was the beginning of ISIS sponsored as well by the US. Thank God Chechenya is doing well now and not another Syria. Chechenya is also Russia, and they are proud to be Russian.

[@ottomanosman2463]

We understand your pain brother. Back in 1916, the same Palestinians rebelled against the Ottoman protectors. Since then, we learn their true nature and we never trust them since.

[@billking8843]

​@@ottomanosman2463 Ottomam colonisers not protectors. The same protectors who committed a genocide against the Armenians. ALL peoples have the right to self determination and especially to resist being colonised. Israel is a settler colonial society that was founded during the period of decolonisation. The world saw fit to turn its back on the Palestinians and here we are in 2024 with you continuing it.

[@Siobahn-ng4yh]

Do you only care about Muslims? What about the cases where Muslims did the ethnic cleansing? Armenians were etnically cleansed by the Azeris, but you skipped that one.

[@billking8843]

@@Siobahn-ng4yh Armenians are not Muslims for starters. The discussion was about the Ottomans as supposedly benevolent rulers over the people they colonised. They weren't.

[@mikaelmangold6187]

Thanks for yet another informative video. I have one question, how come UNRWA is not mentioned? They clearly will need to play some role. It is very unclear to what capacity since they are challenged by the israeli authority but they are still supported by the UN at large, as well as many nations. In addition, the boots on the ground, that actually will work in the reconstruction (and the demining) will need to include people from UNRWA in some way or another since they have been employing so many people of which many and key players. Thanks again for your work!

[@falsevacuum4667]

UNRWA is corrupt and likely to be dismantled. It is part of the problem.

[@christianlibertarian5488]

UNRWA is the leading cause of the violence in Gaza. They have created a situation wherein generations of people have become dependent upon them, with no hope for the future. They are the realization of the maxim that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

[@sufthegoat]

Thank you for thiw video

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you!

[@TheLocalLt]

Thanks for the video Dr. Ker Lindsay. Since October 7th I’ve said that while there is no doubt Israel will the war, the truly difficult task only then begins: wining the peace. I agree with your assessment that this kind of state-building is one of the most difficult exercises in all of geopolitics. The lessons of past examples show there is a fleeting “golden moment” of opportunity which exists following military victory. Thus I’ve been saying since the beginning of the conflict that Israel’s war cabinet, in consultation with its Arab partners, better be hard at work coming up with a clear and unified plan that is ready to be implemented as soon as the conventional war ends. Some of these past examples have shown us what a failure to do so can result in. Coincidently, after months of speculation, Israel seems to have finally released its post-war plan on the very day you posted this video speculating about the topic. It is pretty much along the lines of what I expected, involving an Arab coalition as well as laying out the short, medium, and long term future of Gaza, and reinforces the hope that perhaps there is a new and better future on the horizon for Gaza which can come out of this destructive war. Thanks as always professor for providing a solid basis for discussion!

[@electricVGC]

Feels optimistic at this point

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. I know what you mean. It does indeed feel premature. But I still thought it’s worth discussing the possible ways it can be done and the big issues that will need to be tackled.

[@electricVGC]

@@JamesKerLindsay it is good content, just wish it was less far in the future.

[@jellyrcw12]

Truly heart breaking situation. I hope Gazans are able to move on from Hamas, reject radicalism, and accept peace with Israel.

[@786Plotinus]

I agree. But it's hard to make peace with a genocidal apartheid state.

[@Omer1996E.C]

Lol, Israel doesn't want peace, they only want colonial expansions. It's funny how these words were used in the 19th century by white Americans regarding native Americans

[@MotiMota15]

Wishful thinking...

[@ottomanosman2463]

You should ask them to remember who give them protection first. What they did in 1916 set the theme for their own disaster.

[@olivka7560]

Yes same Ukrainians. Only peace!

[@liljackass6998]

As an Israeli, it would have been really nice if you just worded the first sentence a bit more fairly, factual, and nuanced. You said "israels war against hamas has led to unprecedented death and destruction" Which implies that israel started this war, you could have been more factual and said "Hamas's war against Israel has led to unprecedented death and destruction" This would have been more factual, relevant, and explained the sequence of events.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. I think that by now all viewers will know the cause of the war, and I do put it in context later. But when trying to put it in a way that makes the subject immediately relatable, the factual reality is that the war against Hamas has led to huge amount of destruction - so much so that the entire international community is now calling for a ceasefire. Unfortunately, as I said, not many people are interested in the day after conflict. (The views on this video are already well down on most others.)

[@liljackass6998]

@@JamesKerLindsay Thank you for the reply. I understand fully that i may be more hyper sensitive to framing than the common viewer, and to your credit you did do a great job explaining the sequence of events that led to the "death and destruction" just moments later in the video. I did find the video's content refreshing and insightful, and coincidentally, it came out at thesame time that news stories are being published on Netanyahus vision for gaza 2035, you added a much needed perspective. Again, its a war of naratives, and you have to understand, Israel is facing a war against over a billion worldwide muslim population, expounded with chinese social media engineering through apps such as tiktok, which have been heavily leaning pro palestinian. I understand you are running a geopolitical channel, and you may have your biases as well. But the record and the fact need to be said. Especially for new viewers who this video may be their first forray into the subject. Hamas started a war, it was titled "typhoon al aqsa", and now they are dealing with the storm. The destruction and death in gaza, lies with hamas who hold full responsibility, it is also time we stop infantilizing palestinians and lay responsibility where it is due. Thank you for the video.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

@@liljackass6998 Thank you, and points really well taken. Just to be clear, and for the avoidance of any doubt: I absolutely and unequivocally support Israel’s right to exist and defend itself. But do also believe in a two state solution and understand that failing to move towards this feeds resentment and violence. I’m certainly not saying this it will end with a settlement. But we need to live in that direction and is it in a way that minimises the possibility of radicalisation. Good jobs, housing, education and healthcare will go a long way towards that. I firmly believe that economic deprivation lies at the heart of a lot of conflict. When you have nothing, you have nothing to lose.

[@lordfedjoe]

​@@JamesKerLindsayI'm wondering this your statement considering decades of suffering of the Palestinians. The brutal occupation, the civilian slaughter of Palestinians by IDF even before Oct 7. By saying the war start after Oct 7, you are implying that you have no regards for Palestinians as their lost of lives before Oct 7 doesn't matter to you. Posing a threats to Israel as you imply simply means that you have normalised occupation and Apartheid in West Bank. I'm wondering why you don't give Palestinians the same feeling like you give Ukraine in your presentation

[@JamesKerLindsay]

@lordfedjoe And this is the entire problem. No statement can be made without immediately assuming it disadvantages the other side. So let me be clear: I full and unconditionally support the right of the Palestinian people to have their own state and to be able to live in peace and freedom. Likewise, I fully support the right of the Israeli people to have their own state and not be threatened. You see, most people can actually be fair minded about this and recognise that both sides have suffered, and both side have inflicted suffering.

[@theromanorder]

Please do a video on how to do successful reconstruction.. like German after ww2 and other exsamples.. could talk about Gaza and the special things like the nabours of Israel.. and irans involvement...

[@FistingGuru]

Hello James! Do you plan on doing another Q&A sometime in the future? Thanks 🙂

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. I've actually been thinking about this for a while! I was wondering if channel regulars still wanted to see them. I used to really like doing them. :-) I've also been thinking about maybe doing a live stream at some point.

[@4werd]

Hey Prof, Heavily agree on the point that an external security guarantor is needed for peacebuilding and rebuilding after conflict, but the options for canditates to take this position are definitely limited; Palestinians would have problems with Western Powers leading the post conflict reconciliation process and the Israelis would have doubts about a Arab involvment in the same process. Furthermore, track records of foreign powers being involved in nation building in states in the ME have produced mixed or poor results e.g Afghanistan and Iraq. What lessons could any potential candidate take from relevant past experience that would benefit them when managing the reconciliation process once the dust has settled? Is foreign aid and presence alone enough to win the hearts and minds of those affected by the conflict to stabilise the situation to begin the reconciliation process? Would a 2-state solution still be viable if one side completely dominates the other towards the end of the conflict? Thank you

[@andrewsarantakes639]

James, you have out done yourself. I know you spent more time on preparing this video & you did an amazing job at presenting objectivity into the most controversial topic on the planet. Excellent! I like the idea of the EU becoming the lead organization in reconstruction effort. The cast of players from the past involved in all things related to the conflict can not be objective in this effort, and the EU would objectively have the best chance of success at reconstruction. Again, thank you for this video.

[@mcyte314]

No. The EU has to support Ukraine. This will take all the money we have. This one is for the Arabs to pay for.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much, Andrew. I really and truly appreciate the support, especially as I suspect that it isn’t going to do very well. (The viewing figures are already unbelievably low.) However, I hope it might be interesting to some of the regular viewers. I think it’s sometimes worthwhile making these types of forward looking scenario videos. And I agree that the EU could be an ideal actor in this process.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

@mccyte315 It doesn’t have to be an either/or proposition. Ukraine’s reconstruction needs are rather different from Gaza. The EU has a lot of valuable technical expertise that could be vital for Gaza, but won’t be needed in Ukraine. And I agree that the Arab states should certainly take a lead on the financing.

[@keithheaven7764]

I enjoy your explanations, because they are better than most on presenting an unbiased viewpoint. Don't forget that it is a Bank Holiday weekend, so you could see an increase in engagement after.

[@andrewsarantakes639]

James I am shocked to see as you said the low views on this topic, when this should be the topic of highest interests. Bottom line is that this war is going to end, and to create the conditions of success for reconstruction must be discussed. The EU is the only body/nation which has not been a participant in the historical events in Holy Land since the defeat of the Ottoman Empire in 1918 & the establishment of Isreal in 1948. The example we have historically is Germany, which was successfully rebuilt post 1945. The scale of destruction of Germany in 1945 is beyond compassion to the small geograpic enclave of Gaza, so it is in scope of the possible for the EU to accomplish this critical task. The EU as an impartial body can successfully set the conditions of success. In regard to this difficult conflict, "good fences make good neighbors" and the EU can give the people of Gaza a way forward to success. The US, UN, Isreal & Arab nations all have too much "baggage" in this region, so for a highest chance of success the EU is the only choice, any other will be more of the same. Warfare, despite its brutality, is a tool of statecraft and from a realist perspective through a lens of Clauswitz, "war is politics in a different form." As stated previously, this war is going to end, and a successful reconstruction effort will prevent yet another flaring up of violence in the future. It is best to work to solve this "political issue" after the kinetics have ceased through an impartial body working to eliminate theological influences which are constantly present. And the political tools the EU can bring to bear in a reconstruction environment can be a pathway to success. Thanks for presenting this vital topic in the podcast.

[@robturvey9156]

I don’t know why you say “unprecedented” destruction etc. There are vast numbers of places that suffered greater destruction. Large numbers of European cities were virtually razed to the ground in WW2 and were rebuilt. And then there is the example of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Huge numbers of deaths involved, destroyed cities and the added difficulties brought by radiation. Somewhere between 100,000 and 220,O00 were killed in those cities.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Yes, I realise that this is perhaps a controversial statement. However, the scale of the destruction, the huge numbers affected, the intensity of the bombardment, the relatively small area of Gaza, and the fact that there is no place for them to flee to, do - at least in my view - make this perhaps the most intensely violent conflict of modern times.

[@salakast]

If you have to point to the deadliest conflict in human history to prove your point, then he's right.

[@Omer1996E.C]

It's unprecedented in the middle east since the mongol invasions And why is this word so concerning for you?

[@eve-kaneda9095]

@@JamesKerLindsay I don't fully disagree with you, but let's remember Ukraine, many towns and cities completely wiped out...Mariupol, Avdiivka, Mariinka, Bakhmut, Lysychansks, Seveirodonetsk and dozens of others. If you look at the photos, there's nothing standing.

[@lavip8866]

Agreed. I feel like all historical context goes out the window when discussing this conflict for some reason, even for rational and well spoken commentators like Prof. Lindsay. Obviously the death and destruction in this war has been immense, but I don’t think a conflict of 30-40k deaths can be claimed to be anywhere near unprecedented. War is unfortunately a horrible, but constant, facet of human history and the scale of this one pales in comparison to even recent violence in Syria/Ukraine/Ethiopia. This is not to downplay the horrors innocent Gazans have been put through, however

[@fdama]

Saudi has said they will not contribute a dime towards reconstruction of Gaza unless a clear path to a two state solution is formed.

[@peterkops6431]

Thanks Prof👍🏻👍🏻🇦🇺

[@pgspat1]

Well discussed overview of the big task ahead for Gaza. My out of the box post-war plan - in my opinion there is no 2 state solution - because there is no workable government in either Gaza or the West Bank. Only Iran backed terrorist proxies that have no concern about the future of Palestinians, just want to sacrifice them to the dead-end cause of destroying Israel. The only solution I see is to cede both the West Bank and Gaza to the Kingdom of Jordan. There are already over 3 million Palestinians living in Jordan, and fairly well integrated into that society. My Palestinian neighbor in California had a Jordanian passport. The USA has good relations with Jordan and Israel had decent relations with them. A US and EU military force would be brought in to kick illegal Israeli settlements out of the West Bank. A huge "Marshal' plan for Gaza and the rest of the new Jordan. A permanent US military base would be strategic and ensure stability in the new part of Jordan. Israel would withdraw from Gaza, and US, Jordan, and UN troops would root out Hamas so Gaza can be rebuilt and thrive. I think the people of Gaza would help root out Hamas if its in their interest for a better future for their children.

[@banto1]

This was essentially the situation from 1948 until 1967, except that Egypt ran Gaza and not Jordan. You have to remember that Jordan was part of the war effort in 1967 to destroy Israel, which is why they ended up losing the WB territory.

[@pgspat1]

@@banto1 Thanks, I wasn't aware of those circumstances. However Jordan is accepting of Israel now, I think they even helped shoot down or at least allowed the Iranian drones/missiles to be shot down over their territory. Gaza as part of Egypt probably wouldn't work now as Jordan feels like it is more accepting of Palestinians. My point was mainly that Jordan already has a functioning government vs the existing entities in Gaza (Hamas terror group) or the weak and corrupt Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. Probably Jordan wants no part of this, but they will probably see more Palestinian refugees into their country if the situation gets worse.

[@christianlibertarian5488]

I agree with half of your idea. Jordan was the government of the West Bank before 1967. But Gaza should cease to exist. It has no economic base, and never will have. There are too many people there for what the area can support, given that it has no harbor, no natural resources, minimal arable land, and no economic advantages. It has no hope; that should be the cruel fact that everyone deals with, not who “owns” the land.

[@pgspat1]

@@christianlibertarian5488 The fact Gaza has to be rebuilt from scratch actually gives it the possibility to be something super special - ie the tourist destination to enjoy the beach and the launchpad to see the holy land. Maybe not Dubai but something new like that. If Israel is a friendly neighbor then the economic sky is the limit.

[@christianlibertarian5488]

@@pgspat1 I agree with you, in part. Gaza could be a fanatastic tourist Mecca, especially if they could get along with Israel (and Egypt). But that alone won’t support a population of 11 million. Adding a bit of agriculture won’t either. The Gazans need to be free to move anywhere they can find work. Building a Middle Eastern version of a Chinese ghost city is not a viable future.

[@oraz.]

It seems like Egypt kept the exit door locked the whole time.

[@aussiejournoyeah]

For good reason.

[@complexaltruist]

The sinai is not a hospitable place. It is not an exit door.

[@aussiejournoyeah]

@@complexaltruist Not hospitable in the way Egypt will treat them and not hospitable terrain.

[@complexaltruist]

@@aussiejournoyeah Egypt doesnt have the infrastructure to house 2 million more people

[@aussiejournoyeah]

@complexaltruist any other arab countries willing to take them? Ones that pals haven't already p'd off. Allegedly 80% of housing has already been destroyed in Gaza.

[@ABO-Destiny]

It should not be about the land but more about the people

[@anotherbacklog]

According to the new antiemetic law I’m not allowed to discuss this anymore.

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

This is a very complicated issue. I don't see Israel leaving unless there are assurance that Gaza and or Palestinians will NEVER vote in or allow to take power any group like Hamas. I completely disagree with Israel's tactics in the war but any reasonable person can see why Israel has to get rid of Hamas and make sure there is no similar replacement. Just to get this out of the way since I know what kind of comments I will get, i don't condone Israel's war tactics but let's not pretend that Palestinians haven't put themselves in this situation by trying to erase Israel & it's people for many decades. There was not Palestinian country or equivalent before Israel was declared a state -- it was territory of UK and Ottomans before that. There is no chance that a million Jews would be treated well under an Arab Muslim controlled state and we can see the neighbors as evidence of all those minorities being oppressed (Kurds, Coptics in Egypt, minority Jewish populations, Shia vs Sunni, etc). Had Palestinian Arabs or Arab nations accepted the 1947 UN resolution or accepted their losses after the 1948 war or the 1960's war, Palestinians would have been much better off today. And West Bank settlements must go in order to find a peaceful resolution to all this.

[@yakov95000]

Israel war tactics are pretty good I don't know what you on about...

[@FunnyUserName-wp3vo]

@@yakov95000 Good if you don't care about international relations & support and don't care about civilians. If that's you, then I can see why it's pretty good.

[@FlamingBasketballClub]

Here's the thing. Hamas and Fatah were specifically created by Israel to divide the Palestinians. Benjamin Netanyahu himself literally said in himself years ago. 🌚🌚🌚🌚🌚🌝🌝🌝🌝🌝🌝

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

@@FlamingBasketballClub That's wildly out of context and suggest they weren't supported on by the Palestinians and suggest they weren't voted in by the people. Are you saying Palestinians didn't vote for them?

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

@@FlamingBasketballClub Are you also stating that P/lestin1ans don't have a history of using t/rr0r1sm against Isr?

[@oyoter9ox]

Bring in the Chinese 😅

[@5koKirilov]

Happy Birthday! 🥳

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you very much indeed. Star Wars Day too. 🙏🏻😀

[@musafir350]

Professor, thanks for the video. Can you please cover the topic of why migrant groups do not accept changes eg thoughts and acts

[@007kingifrit]

because you let so many in they stick together instead of joining the national group. let them in in smaller numbers and they might fit in

[@nectanbo]

I truly appreciate this video and your insight on this topic. That said, it's difficult to tackle 'radicalisation' when the route cause of the pro hamas/Islamic Jihad/insert whatever group you like here is still there. How do we convince people not to fight for such admittedly terrible organisations? By providing justice and restituition. By providing a Palestinian state, or an equal democratic one with the right to return. Until then any attempt to prevent 'radicalisation' or bring 'peace' is a futile temporary measure akin to fighting the tide.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks. I agree. But it’s also important to provide people with proper housing, education, healthcare, and jobs. All this helps to defeat radicalisation. It will also need to be underpinned by a major security and policing mission. This is why any reconstruction effort will have to be so wide ranging and such a huge task.

[@grid462]

Ah yes the redevelopment opportunities......

[@cgthe2nd335]

Professor, Hamas isn't gone. It still governs Gaza as the elected body of that territory. What do you propose?

[@LizzieBirdsworth-ek3io]

Was he critical of Hamas? What would make you think he wants any changes? He is very sympathetic to governments run by sharia rule.

[@Nonamearisto]

"Elected" like 20 years ago. They haven't held in election in a very long time.

[@artman12]

Maybe giving Gaza to Egypt might help. Egypt’s government is more friendlier to Israel and having Egyptian rule over Gaza might stabilize the situation. But that could backfire if Egypt gets ruled by a group such as the Brotherhood.

[@davidellis2182]

When did they last win an election?

[@er...]

Governs what? A toxic wasteland of rubble?

[@huwenkai440]

I think people forget that the Palestinians have a long history of failing its allies for years. The moment they rebelled against the Ottoman Empire in 1916, their list of sins only extended, such as how they tried to overthrow the Moroccan monarchy, backing Polisario, rebellion in Lebanon, helping Saddam against Kuwait, attempted coups against Bahraini and Emirati monarchies, attempts to overthrow the Azerbaijani government (via Iran), allying with Iran against Saudi Arabia, attempts to undermine Albania and Kosovo's secularism (also via Iran). This has greatly eroded trusts for Palestinians among some of its biggest backers; the 1916 Arab Revolt was fascinating because the Palestinian intellectuals attempted to collaborate with the British and Sheikh Hussein al-Hashimi against the Ottomans, which still angered the Turks so much to even today and served as the root of distrust against Palestinians.

[@falsevacuum4667]

And you didn't even mention the most infamous case of Jordan

[@huwenkai440]

@@falsevacuum4667 Ah, I forgot that case. Strange how the Black September was done between two former allies at the World War I. Sad.

[@luishernandezblonde]

That's crazy. I know Palestine has issues but... to this length is beyond me. Even going as far as Albania and Kosovo?

[@aussiejournoyeah]

👏👏👏 well said.

[@huwenkai440]

@@luishernandezblonde Back in 2017, Albanian police cracked down on a terrorist attempt, sponsored by Iran and involved Hamas and Hezbollah, in a World Cup qualification match versus Israel. Albania and Kosovo are actually the poster children of pro-Israel Muslim nations, given Muslims form the dominant population in both nations (62% and 90% respectively) and they are even more vocals in backing Israel's war in Gaza. That alone explains why Albania and Kosovo are increasingly becoming unpopular to other Muslims today.

[@youknow6968]

A video on the future of Hamas would be very interesting. Hamas is finished, but only in it's current form, it will continue to exist on the ground, and within any future power structures that will be established, that's not in doubt, if we truly look at the situation with open eyes. It would be really interesting to see what potential shape a future Hamas will take, interesting indeed.

[@LaluBhaiya1233]

They need a viable state, but im afraid the two state solution is out of the window... without a state wider recognition of israel is not necessarily off the card but it makes it hard for the saudis to push for wider recognition. What that state would look like?

[@kbqvist]

If you break it, you own it...🤔

[@matthewbradley7320]

Hey i have an idea, Build the Ben Gurion Camal. Oh wait that's already happening

[@eve-kaneda9095]

EU's sole focus should be rebuilding Ukraine. Unlike Gaza, they are actually important to us. Arabs can fund reconstruction of Gaza, aftel all, they are the ones who care about them the most, right?

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

I mostly agree with you. EU can and should still provide some help however it comes but Ukraine is more important to the EU and if those Arab countries actually cared about Palestinians rather than using them as a tool, they should do most of the support for rebuilding

[@FairyCRat]

While I think it makes sense from a practical point of view (we are closer, so it's easier to move building materials) I think the idea that we should only provide for people in areas that are valuable to us is horribly cynical and hypocritical.

[@richdobbs6595]

That won't work because the Arabs are a party to the conflict. I vote for India since they have managed a society with a significant Muslim minority, yet aren't as pro-Israeli as western countries.

[@eve-kaneda9095]

@@FairyCRat Well it's the world we live in. As much as I would like to fund every good thing in the world, I kind of accept that we live in a cruel world and we unfortunately have to prioritize who we help. In a broader context, we the West fund most of the humanitarian help in the world, so is it that much to ask Arab nations, few of which are just as wealthy if not more as many western nations, to fund majority of Gaza rebuilding? Saudis are spending what..500 billion dollars on NEOM - a vanity project for the rich. They can afford to give 1/10 of that to Palestine/Gaza.

[@JSK010]

They (gulf states) are notoriously stingy when it comes to international aid (or other global public goods) in general, so it would be about time.

[@sufthegoat]

Its gonna be hard and long 😢

[@anirudhparthasarathy3387]

Good evening James, Thanks for the video on this important question. It is going to be a massive task of this century. However, while one talks of radicalisation on the Palestinian side (which there is), there cannot be lasting peace without deradicalisation of Israel and till people like Smotrich or Ben-Gvir hold high office, I do not see how such trust could be built. Same with the settlements, where regardless of which Israeli administration, the number of settlements have been increasing. The West also should hold Israel to the same standards as it does states like Russia (rightly so, in Russia's case). In my opinion, EU's position on Ukraine has gotten weaker in the rest of the world as the hypocrisy is visible. Talking of my country - Macron air-drops aid, and still chooses not to even condemn his Israeli counterparts for not letting aid workers to go through land - which is the also against ICJ order - where Israel had to let in humanitarian aid. The rebuilding is a great task, and trust can never be built with the present lot of radical Israeli administration. Their senior minister Smotrich wants to recolonise Gaza - so the city will be rebuilt, the question is going to be who is going to be living in that city.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thanks, Anirudh. As usual, we are pretty much on the same page. I completely agree on both your points. The current government in Israel is quite clearly an obstacle to any lasting settlement. And you are also right that the West's failure to stand up more obviously to Netanyahu has done enormous damage. That said, it is also disappointing that so many of the countries that condemn the West for not standing up for international law respond by doing exactly the same over Russia. But it does highlight the profound breakdown of communication that has happened.

[@dennisthemenace57]

I would not worry about rebuilding it. Unless the moslem nations want to do it

[@BMWE90HQ]

Agreed but the US government will steal our money and pay for it with that.

[@educatethemonster6198]

But who takes the 500b dollars worth of oil of the coast!

[@edmundflett474]

Hi Prof, thanks for this great vid as usual. I am interested that much of the video seems to take Hamas' eventual displacement from power in Gaza as a fait accompli. Supposing Rafah goes ahead, and succeeds, Hamas would continue to have operatives across the strip. Whatever institutions are set up would face a permanent risk from Hamas: Afghanistan comes to mind

[@AL-lh2ht]

Hamas exist purely due to Iran funding them. Hamas has only existed for two decades, they are not they are not that old.

[@falsevacuum4667]

Afghanistan is large with mountains to hide in. Gaza is small and without the tunnels there's nowhere to go.

[@dragosstanciu9866]

All Muslim countries should invest in the rebuild of Gaza.

[@dddz961]

You mean as reparations to the Israelis? That’s a start.

[@Kalimdor199Menegroth]

None of them will invest anything as long as Hamas is still in power there. Because them being in power, will only delay a future conflict with Israel. Anybody that knows a thing or two about investment, especially long-term investment, is that they would like the place where they invest to be stable and predictable. After this war, if Gaza will still have Hamas as its administration, then no dice. Not even Qatar will want to invest there, because it will be only a matter of time until a new war starts.

[@Omer1996E.C]

I agree, we should especially invest in their education, and create an avenging generation

[@irksomecodger9667]

No, us Turks expect Arabs to clean up their mess for once. Let the Gulf countries handle it, they have more money than god combined. However, they’ve all made their sympathy for their fellow Arabs known by not accepting any Syrian refugees.

[@MotiMota15]

As it seems right now, it is a really bad investment.

[@FooBarCake]

How much will Israel be contributing? I seem to remember America funding a lot of rebuilding in Iraq. "You break it, you buy it"

[@historyking9984]

This I think is the most important factor . But I don’t see how this can be done effectively. If Hamas is destroyed in Gaza to a point they can no longer govern or control it who will replace them. If Israel does that would just create resentment and chaos. The risk of settlers arriving as well is a major factor creating a 2nd West Bank situation.Egypt likely won’t do it due to the connections of the Muslim brotherhood and Hamas and that it could destabilize their country. And regarding the Palestinian Authority there’s tons of issues. They haven’t had elections at all with Arafat being in power till he died in 2004 and Abbas being in power since then. Abbas cancelled planned presidential and parlementary elections planned in 2021 blaming a despute with Israel over East Jerusalem when it clearly seems like he just wants to keep power just like he has since 2004. Recent polls say 90% of Palestinians in the West Bank want Abbas gone. So even if you have them in charge of Gaza there likely won’t be free and fair elections if any election at all. AThe corruption they have with billions of dollars in Palestinian aid being stolen is a major issue. Any major reconstruction that has them in charge will result in billions more being stolen and inefficient systems. These issues risk Hamas or a group like them coming back. I don’t see how an effective long term plan can be done with the issues the Palestinian authority has. Maybe there’s some members of the diaspora who could be potential leaders and without the corruption .I don’t have too much knowledge regarding Palestinian leadership options outside of Abbas and the PLO though. An international overseer is an idea I hadn’t heard of. But considering Bosnia still has one 3 decades later that doesn’t say much good for the process towards self government, and I wonder if that would result in more resentment from locals. Regardless I think how reconstruction in terms of rebuilding ,education, economics , freedoms and other issues of Gaza is done and who does it is the biggest factor for future peace .

[@JamesKerLindsay]

Thank you so much for the thoughts. Sadly, as Bosnia shows, even with international administration things can still go wrong. The country is locked in political division and stagnation today. In the case of Gaza, I think something far more wide-reaching and robust would be needed. I know a lot of observers would balk at the idea of such a strong international mechanism to oversee fundamental economic, political, and social engineering. But perhaps this is the only way to do it.

[@falsevacuum4667]

It is shocking to not hear China among one of the potential major financial and technical contributors to this. Are they not interested?

[@michealnagy5763]

Make Gaza a Walmart parking lot.

[@BozaCukuranovic3223]

Great video, as always. Also, nice occasion to point out that Christian Schmitt, the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, has not been endorsed by Russia and China and is therefore not approved by the UN Security Council. Whether this is according to the procedure or not, I am not qualified to tell, however the Bosnian Serb side does not recognize him as legitimate and legal (nor do Russia and China, for that matter) and has been wreaking havoc all over the country by pushing laws and suspending the constitution, without much care for the consensus and unanimity in BiH.

[@dorawell4752]

I don’t mean to be a little off the topic but what I’m saying is so important because you know dam well it’s coming from our pockets who agrees? Just sick of it

[@TheSwedishHistorian]

Its not just about food like you say, its about institutions and political culture. Gaza is also a area that has little to no natural resources or really reason for so many people to live there. Its doomed for eternal problems at this rate

[@JamesKerLindsay]

It is a huge and complex issue. But I’m not sure I’d agree that the population size or density is an issue. Many other cities and states exist without food production. It could be economically viable and successful. But it will take a huge effort, and will need a political solution.

[@TheSwedishHistorian]

@@JamesKerLindsay I see what you mean, it will take quite the vision, and investment though. I am not sure quite we will find that.

[@christianlibertarian5488]

@@JamesKerLindsay If it were merely food production, your point would be valid. But it is not the only issue. The problem is that Gaza has no economic advantages, and there is no economic reason to produce anything there. It’s only resource would be cheap labor, but the other factors of production are so costly that even a zero labor cost would not make such an investment viable.

[@tauceti8060]

​@@christianlibertarian5488I hear that theres natural gas off the coast of Gaza.

[@christianlibertarian5488]

@@tauceti8060 There may be, but that will not change the issue. Nobody will sink billions trying to develop it, if there is no stable government, no rule of law, not even some entity to make a valid contract with.

[@scottmarquardt3575]

I'm going to vote for you, james, for the first security detail in the new Gaza 😅

[@Tini_Scrapitti]

Gaza holds massive symbolic and emotional value to its inhabitants and others, but perhaps this waste land must be left for Israel to restore, and the Gazans relocated to the West Bank (there is some nice new housing waiting) and it restored as Palestine (with Jewish settlers withdrawn).

[@spacemarine3482]

Palestine has already lost enough land

[@AL-lh2ht]

This makes no sense in every angle possible.

[@786Plotinus]

Nope. Israel wont let it be rebuilt.

[@dragosstanciu9866]

Why?

[@bblunder]

@@dragosstanciu9866 Let's assume they let. Why did they destroy in first place?

[@dragosstanciu9866]

@@bblunder To annex it?

[@Homer-OJ-Simpson]

This is a very complicated issue. I don't see Israel leaving unless there are assurance that Gaza and or Palestinians will NEVER vote in or allow to take power any group like Hamas. I completely disagree with Israel's tactics in the war but any reasonable person can see why Israel has to get rid of Hamas and make sure there is no similar replacement. Just to get this out of the way since I know what kind of comments I will get, i don't condone Israel's war tactics but let's not pretend that Palestinians haven't put themselves in this situation by trying to erase Israel & it's people for many decades. There was not Palestinian country or equivalent before Israel was declared a state -- it was territory of UK and Ottomans before that. There is no chance that a million Jews would be treated well under an Arab Muslim controlled state and we can see the neighbors as evidence of all those minorities being oppressed (Kurds, Coptics in Egypt, minority Jewish populations, Shia vs Sunni, etc). Had Palestinian Arabs or Arab nations accepted the 1947 UN resolution or accepted their losses after the 1948 war or the 1960's war, Palestinians would have been much better off today. And West Bank settlements must go in order to find a peaceful resolution to all this.

[@54032Zepol]

That's what they said back in 2014 lol 🤡

[@retroanimemike]

Thank you for talking about Gaza. If only we could be dealing with the reconstruction, there is so much to do, but the destruction continues. Israel is free to do whatever it wishes, it seems.

[@ajzmn3538]

" I propose a neutral and wealthy benefactor for the reconstruction of Gaza. I propose the construction of a permanent outpost of the People's Liberation Army and the People's Republic of China could undertake this reconstruction as part of the Belt and Road Initiative!" (I'm kidding, but sometimes my predictions get way too real)

[@JamesKerLindsay]

I'm not so sure this would be so unlikely!

[@user-rh8fl8qz2z]

Let's hope NOT!

[@hairblairbunch81]

Who, with any real knowledge of this situation would want that place rebuilt. They had decades... DECADES to organise themselves. What did they do? They took all the charity given them and made a terror state. They asked for it, they voted it and they protected it. As they f around and find out... they are finding out!

[@monikaflisnik6627]

😅 " Żaden inwestor tam nie wejdzie " 😅 " Najpierw sobie musi Hamas " rozminować " teren " 😅 " I tunele " 😅 " Gaza będzie stała pusta tak jak " osiedla mieszkaniowe w Syrii " 🥳👍 P.S. " Beduinom do szczęścia wystarczy " wielbłąd i namiot " 😅 " Praca w podziemnych fabrykach broni i amunicji " Sinwara " ( w dodatku bez atestów ) to nie życie " 🥳👍

[@jaymudd2817]

Qutb's mindless minions, they thought they were so Grand. And now their bones be dryin' out a layin' in the Sand.

[@OneLine122]

Israel is there to stay, it's what they said. They will provide security and some other people can rebuild. It's probably actually a good thing it was destroyed, now it can be built back better. The survivors might do pretty well in the future because of all the cash going into infrastructure and investments. I think people will be surprised at what happens with the place, just like Japan which is the textbook example.

[@luishernandezblonde]

To even rebuild Gaza, it will take a stronger, united and cohesive Palestinian government, which is, unfortunately, something the Palestinians are more capable at destroying. The fact that Bandar Bin Sultan, once Saudi diplomat to the US and a high-ranking Prince, even loathed the Palestinians, suggested it would be a very difficult process to gain back trust for a cause ruined by the Palestinians.

[@Dragases6894]

Thé Palestinians have thé right if thé victimes for them. Conversely Israël has been a colonial project for more than 76 years. A project based on Land theft and ethnic cleansing

[@skeeterhoney]

Did I miss the memo when "Right of Return" was stricken from international law?

[@AL-lh2ht]

You didn’t read what right of return is.

[@argentinamexico3895]

Israel: Gaza is now free for business.

[@MatthewDoye]

Problems to be overcome. Local buy in: any Palestinian representation will have to be popular and the Fatah dominated PA is widely despised in the strip. If and when elections are held what happens if Hamas or a proxy for them wins? The EU maybe unwilling to provide funds given Israel's wholesale destruction of projects it has funded there over the years, the airport etc.. UNWRA has problems, it's disliked by many in Gaza as it's seen as a, way of prolonging occupation and keeping people aid dependent. In addition it faces funding issues in the US and other countries. OIS involvement appears to be a non starter, the domestic pressure its members are under is likely to lead to demands unacceptable to Israel. The Arab League has similar but fewer issues but Egypt is a big problem. The US will have a huge influence but it has an election coming up and nothing concrete will come out of Washington until November. Even then neither of the candidates is well disposed towards Palestinians. Even if we avoid absolute ethnic cleansing or the disaster of direct occupation we're likely to be left with a wholly inadequate fudge and an ongoing humanitarian disaster for a few years to come.

[@grzzz2287]

Leave it to the Arabs. EU must focus on Ukraine. But oooops! the Arabs couldn't care less about Gaza and I wonder why?

[@54032Zepol]

Lol Israel it like , let Egypt have it. Haha

[@FairyCRat]

Many ordinary Arabs care very much about Gaza, but it's true, many authoritarian leaders in the Arab states prefer to avoid the issue, whether it be to prevent further destabilization of the regime like Al-Sisi in Egypt, or to build ties to Israel in the face of a growing Iranian threat, like MBS in Saudi Arabia.

[@mohamedsonofkemetegypt979]

It is not our problem. We are not the ones who carried out a massacre with the support of the western Gaza Strip The West must bear the consequences of its decisions in Ukraine, Syria, Libya, Palestine and Yemen It is a matter of time and 10-12 million refugees will flow to you in Egypt, Turkey and Africa after you destroyed their countries by supporting parties and starting wars.

[@AL-lh2ht]

@@FairyCRatthat and Palestine refugees caused 3 separate civil wars. So most of the Middle East hates them because of that.

[@AL-lh2ht]

@@mohamedsonofkemetegypt979dude thinks so little of Arabs he blames 3 sperate civil wars on white people.

[@hai.1820]

KZbin is not publishing my comments relating ro i3r43L !!!

[@bradenwenzel7597]

This is no concern of the U.S.A. we should not use our money, troops or talent.

[@electrosyzygy]

I don't think there will be significant reconstruction. Token amounts will be pledged, just enough to keep the Gazan problem from becoming too much of a spill-over problem. Countries act in their strategic interests and Palestinians never had much to offer, let alone Gazans. There are no resources there except the NG Israel is already tapping into, no strategic advantage to be gained, just a financial black hole that will eventually turn around and bite the hand that fed it.

[@Jurjen.]

Don't rebuild. RELOCATE !!! 🧹🧹🧹

[@davidgibson3631]

where is RELOCATE ? oh that right after life

[@Jurjen.]

@@davidgibson3631 Your words

[@RuFh-hr3on]

I hope stop genocide

[@rascott2935]

those who destroyed it should pay for it, and reparations should also be paid.

[@JamesKerLindsay]

I think we both know that isn’t going to happen.

[@er...]

Bibi & Biden can pick up the tab!

[@mr.coolmug3181]

All our money is already going to 1srael so technically we're already paying to rebuild Gaza for 1sraeli settlers. I know you tried to skirt around the issue but, there it is.

[@banto1]

Maybe give the UK another mandate for Palestine and give them the opportunity to not make the same mistakes they made the first time around...

[@banto1]

..and this could actually work as England is now already on the way to becoming a Muslim majority state and does (for now) recognize Israel.

[@christianlibertarian5488]

I disagree with the entire premise of this video. I don’t think Gaza should be rebuilt in any form. It has no economic base; that is, nothing is made there. It can possibly become a tourist haven, but not for decades. As such, the Gazans must relocate, be forever dependent on UN handouts, or starve. No other options exist.

[@sandytatham3592]

I agree. But how about the option of Israel extending sovereignty over Gaza and offering the Arab occupants "residence status" of Israel? That would give them equal civil rights, and autonomy to continue living in their own clan structure, but NOT national voting rights. Then open the border with Egypt so those who want to leave can do so.

[@christianlibertarian5488]

@@sandytatham3592 Great concept, but as I understand it, the Gazans want nothing to do with Israel, one way or another. Even then, there is no economic base for Gaza.

[@vipermad358]

Maybe the Israelis will be forced to pay for their crimes?

[@vipermad358]

@@sandytatham3592Apartheid. Great. 🙄

[@sandytatham3592]

@@vipermad358: Millions of people live in other countries on "residence visas" because that country gives them benefits that other countries don't give them. Benefits such as good employment opportunities, health services, education for their children, rule of law and security. You get #equal civil rights but not national voting rights. There's usually a pathway to full citizenship after you've proved you would be a good citizen. East Jerusalem Arabs have this status, and the growing trend is for them to apply for full citizenship of Israel. Why are you holding Israel to a different standard than other countries?

[@LaluBhaiya1233]

Without a Palestinian state.. they need a viable state first. Without it, this whole issue can happen again, and thousands of innocent people die, seeing the suffering of the Palestinian people is very hard and I think you'd have to be quite full of hate to not be moved by their plight, as well as the plight of people on the other side the hostages etc. They need a state, and they'll need tens of billions.

[@RS-uh7rz]

Gaza's elected government fired tens of thousands of rockets at Israel and diverted international aid to the construction of hundreds of miles of concrete tunnels. Even with the presence of 11,000 UN employees, who somehow failed to notice the dense interlacing of tunnels and access shafts with the civilian infrastructure. The puzzle: what to do next that won't simply lead to another round of war and destruction.

[@complexaltruist]

Hamas hasnt been elected for years and Israel funded it to create a boogieman.

[@ham.strings]

It will be rebuilt--for Israelis. Then we can keep releasing movies about the holocaust while repeating the empty adage NeVeR AgAiN.

[@54032Zepol]

Thank God it won't be used for harboring terrorist organization and their supporters

[@spacemarine3482]

@@54032Zepol The biggest terrorist in Palestine are the IDF and their western backers

[@henrybn14ar]

Gaza is, potentially, world class real estate. Tax free zone, rail link from Alexandria to Tel Aviv, Halifax, Beirut and Tripoli, Freeport, international air hub, solar farms and winter holiday resort. It could become Singapore on steroids. This could have happened in 2005, and one then has to ask why it did not?

[@FOLIPE]

Why hasn't Lebanon?

[@harlowida]

Because Israel decided to have terrorist blockade. There ya go

[@007kingifrit]

@@harlowida israel had every right to stop them from bringing in supplies after they repeatedly attacked israel

[@user-hc8ki1rl4t]

The Saudis and the UAE would be willing to pay the bill for Gaza's reconstruction. But what if the Gazans vote for another Hamas?

[@peterkops6431]

Best to remember you get the leadership you vote for. They wanted Hamas, they got it. A leadership that doesn’t really care about its people, only its own power and ego. So bloody tragic!