If You're Listening Sizing up the Gaza rebuild
Oct 22, 2025
The podcast dives deep into the complexities of rebuilding Gaza after its destruction, leveraging comparisons with Mosul’s recovery. It discusses the staggering $70 billion cost estimate for Gaza's reconstruction, while questioning who will take on this monumental task. The scale of damage is highlighted, revealing that Gaza's devastation far exceeds that of Mosul. With challenges such as debris clearance and housing for the displaced, the conversation raises urgent questions about potential political fallout if rebuilding efforts fail.
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Makeshift Bridges Reconnected Mosul Fast
- Matt Bevan recounts the rapid, improvised reopening of Mosul's fifth bridge after heavy damage during the battle.
- Makeshift plank bridges reconnected city life within months and full repair took about six years.
Al-Baghdadi's Speech And Mosul's Fall
- Matt Bevan narrates the rise of ISIS in Mosul, including Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's declaration at the Al Nuri Mosque.
- The subsequent nine-month battle left huge destruction, displacement and many civilian casualties.
Rubble Quantity Limits Rapid Recovery
- UNOSAT counted nearly 20,000 damaged buildings in Mosul and estimated 8 million tons of rubble, far slowing reconstruction.
- Even with government control and international help, only a small fraction of homes were rebuilt after eight years.