Can Gaza ever be rebuilt? | If You're Listening | ABC NEWS In-depth

Key Concepts

• Battle of Mosul: A major military operation in 2016-2017 to retake the Iraqi city of Mosul from the Islamic State (ISIS).
• Tigris River: The river that divides Mosul into its east and west sides.
• Fifth Bridge: The newest and largest bridge in Mosul, crucial for traffic capacity, which was destroyed during the battle.
• Al-Nuri Grand Mosque: A historic mosque in Mosul, significant for its "Hunchback" minaret, which became a symbolic stronghold for ISIS and was ultimately destroyed by the group.
• ISIS (Islamic State): A terrorist organization that controlled Mosul and declared a caliphate from the Al-Nuri Mosque.
• Caliphate: A state under the leadership of a caliph, considered a successor to the Prophet Muhammad.
• UNOSAT (United Nations Satellite Centre): An organization that uses satellite imagery to assess damage and provide objective data in crisis situations.
• Rubble: Debris and wreckage left after destruction, a significant challenge in post-conflict reconstruction.
• Displacement: The forced movement of people from their homes due to conflict.
• Reconstruction: The process of rebuilding damaged infrastructure and buildings.

The Battle of Mosul and its Aftermath

Destruction of the Fifth Bridge

The Fifth Bridge, one of five bridges connecting the east and west sides of Mosul across the Tigris River, was the largest and newest. During the Battle of Mosul, it was severely damaged. Satellite imagery from December 2016 shows a hole punched through the middle of the span, rendering it impassable. The approaches to the bridge were also destroyed.

Rapid Temporary Repairs and Long-Term Reconstruction

Remarkably, within three months of the battle's end in July 2017, a makeshift plank bridge was laid across the hole, allowing cars to cross. By five months, a daily traffic jam had formed at this temporary crossing. Two years later, a second plank bridge was in place for two-way traffic. By the fifth anniversary of the battle's end, actual construction to repair the bridge had begun, and it was fully reopened by the sixth anniversary. This demonstrates a significant, albeit gradual, recovery process.

The Rise and Fall of ISIS in Mosul

The video details the rise of ISIS, led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who declared the establishment of an Islamic caliphate from the Al-Nuri Grand Mosque in Mosul in 2014. ISIS controlled a territory larger than Great Britain, ruling over millions of people in northern Syria and Iraq. The group was known for extreme brutality, including using civilians as human shields.

The Battle for Mosul: A Devastating Urban Conflict

The Battle of Mosul, described as the biggest urban battle of the century, involved a coalition of forces against ISIS. The city, one of the oldest in the world (also known as Nineveh), presented significant challenges due to its dense urban environment, particularly in the old city where ISIS made its last stand. The fighting was block-by-block, with ISIS militants fortifying and booby-trapping the area.

Civilian Casualties and Transparency

The battle resulted in a high number of civilian casualties. The video highlights an incident where Australian jets bombed ISIS targets, killing up to 35 civilians, including an entire family. The presence of international journalists and widespread use of cell phones for recording and uploading footage made it difficult for militaries to ignore civilian deaths, leading to investigations and increased accountability compared to previous conflicts.

Destruction of the Al-Nuri Mosque

As Iraqi forces closed in on the Al-Nuri Mosque, ISIS deliberately blew it up, destroying the 12th-century structure. This act marked the symbolic end of the caliphate, even though al-Baghdadi escaped and was later killed.

Scale of Destruction and Reconstruction Challenges

The Battle of Mosul left an estimated 20,000 combatants and 10,000 civilians dead, with 1 million residents displaced. UNOSAT's satellite analysis revealed 19,888 damaged buildings, with 4,773 totally destroyed, concentrated in the old city. This resulted in approximately 8 million tons of rubble, much of it contaminated and containing explosives.

Reconstruction Progress in Mosul

Eight years after the battle, while most of the city, especially east of the river, has returned to normality, the old city remains heavily damaged. The Al-Nuri minaret and mosque have been rebuilt by UNESCO with funding from the UAE. However, only an estimated 7% of destroyed homes have been rebuilt, highlighting the slow pace of recovery even under a stable government and with international cooperation.

Comparison with Gaza

Exponentially Worse Destruction in Gaza

The video draws a stark comparison between Mosul and the situation in Gaza. UNOSAT data indicates that Gaza has suffered significantly more destruction:

• 84% of buildings and infrastructure damaged across Gaza, reaching up to 92% in Gaza City.
• 192,812 damaged structures identified, with over half totally destroyed.
• Tens of millions of tons of rubble, contaminated with unexploded ordnance and asbestos.
• 6.8 times more debris and 9.6 times more damaged buildings than in Mosul.
• 21 times more buildings totally destroyed in Gaza compared to Mosul.

Reconstruction Challenges in Gaza

The scale of destruction in Gaza presents even greater challenges than in Mosul:

• 77% of Gaza's road network is damaged, hindering access for reconstruction efforts.
• An estimated $70 billion is required for reconstruction, but money is not the primary obstacle.
• The enormous amount of debris needs to be cleared, with no clear destination for disposal.
• Hundreds of thousands of people are using the rubble as shelter, creating a complex humanitarian crisis.
• The current ceasefire agreement lacks a plan for displaced Palestinians or for the reconstruction work itself.
• The UN is only clearing rubble to restore essential services, not addressing destroyed homes.
• Reconstruction is expected to take decades, potentially longer than in Mosul.

Conclusion: A Grim Outlook for Gaza

The video concludes that the situation in Gaza is "exponentially worse than Mosul." With only 7% of homes rebuilt in Mosul over eight years, the prospect for Gaza, facing a far greater scale of destruction and fewer immediate solutions, appears dire. The lack of a comprehensive plan for reconstruction and the ongoing humanitarian crisis raise concerns about future stability and the potential for renewed conflict.