About this video

• Video Title: Is The War in Gaza Really Over? - 5CAST (#13) Ft. James Gelvin
• Channel: Channel 5 with Andrew Callaghan
• Speakers: Andrew Callaghan, James Gelvin
• Duration: 00:41:14

Overview

This video features a discussion between Andrew Callaghan and James Gelvin, a historian specializing in the Middle East, about the current state of the war in Gaza, potential peace deals, and the broader Arab-Israeli conflict. They explore the complexities of the situation, including the roles of Hamas, the Palestinian Authority, and international actors like the US and Trump, as well as historical context and future scenarios.

Key takeaways

• The "war" in Gaza is analyzed on three levels: hostage/prisoner exchange and redeployment, the broader conflict, and the Arab-Israeli conflict, with the latter two being far from over.
• A proposed peace deal is viewed with skepticism due to red lines, ambiguities, and Hamas's apparent unwillingness to disarm or relinquish governance.
• The historical context of Israeli strategy, including attempts to foster internal factions and the ongoing expansion of settlements in the West Bank, is discussed.
• The role of Donald Trump's proposed plan is examined, highlighting its ambiguities and potential inconsistencies.
• The division between the Palestinian Authority (PA) and Hamas, their respective political standings, and the challenges of future Palestinian leadership are explored.
• The historical narrative of the conflict, including the Nakba and the "David vs. Goliath" perception, is revisited.
• The discussion touches on the potential collapse of peace initiatives due to conflicting interests and the difficulty of finding viable solutions.
• The video highlights the importance of understanding media narratives and encourages critical consumption of news.
• Future scenarios range from Israeli reinvasion to a continuation of the "mowing the grass" strategy, with a two-state solution deemed unlikely in the near future.

James Gelvin expresses skepticism about the proposed peace deal for several reasons:

• Hamas's Commitments: He believes Hamas is unlikely to agree to many of the deal's "red lines," particularly regarding disarmament.
• Ambiguities: The deal contains too many ambiguous terms, allowing for different interpretations.
• Hamas's Actions: Gelvin points to recent actions by Hamas, such as attacking collaborators and appointing governors, as evidence that they are not prepared to disarm or give up their role in governance.
• Israeli Sticking Points: The Israelis also have reservations and may object to aspects of the deal, such as the second redeployment of troops.

The historical justification used by Israelis for settlement expansion in the West Bank is rooted in the idea that these areas were part of the ancient Jewish kingdoms. Proponents point to this historical connection, stating that this is where Jerusalem and the kingdoms of David and Solomon were located.

Additionally, for religious Zionists, there's the belief in a divine covenant with the Jewish people, which they interpret as a commandment to include this territory in their state.