Page19, GS2, Geopolitics + Web

Why is this article important?

International Conflicts in Important Facts

Direct topic of
Relations & News a core on USS Gerald
GS2
Geopolitics topic for Prelims R Ford
 IMPORTANT DIMENSIONS
$18 billion nuclear-powered USS Gerald R Ford is the world’s biggest aircraft carrier & is on its way
to Eastern Mediterranean Sea assist Israel.

Size

5 Key Features of USS Gerald

Carrying Capacity

R Ford
Agility

Defensive Cover

President Gerald R Ford

Named After
US Navy’s Newest and most Advanced Aircraft Carrier
 IMPORTANT DIMENSIONS
Gargantuan size

• It is the largest warship ever built. It is 337 m long, 78 m wide (measured

at the flight deck) and 76 m high.
• It also displaces 100,000 tonnes at full load — equivalent to nearly four
times the weight of steel used for the Howrah Bridge.

INS Vikrant dimensions

262 m x 62m x 59m
INS Vikrant weighs
72 m high 45,000 tons at full load
 IMPORTANT DIMENSIONS
Carrying Capacity

• The carrier’s size allows it to support up to 90 aircraft, including the fifth gen F-
35, as well as a number of UAVs.
• To conduct all operations aboard the carrier, a crew of over 4,500 personnel is
needed

Run by a Crew of 1,650 Agility

• With a top speed of over 30 knots (56 kmph), the Ford class carrier
INS Vikrant
people

can keep up with much smaller vessels.

• Power generated by its two A1B nuclear reactors, offering 250%
more electrical capacity than the Nimitz Class.
INS Vikrant
Operates 36 Aircraft • Life Cycle of Reactor: 25 Years
 IMPORTANT DIMENSIONS
Always travels in a carrier strike group

• Gerald R Ford, like all aircraft carriers, always travels with the defensive cover of a
carrier strike group (CSG).

Carrier Supply
Group
USS Normandy

At least 2
One or More
Cruiser Frigates / Supply Ship
Submarines
Destroyer

USS Thomas Hudner, USS Ramage, USS Carney, and USS Roosevelt
 #CSLIVE

Q Identify correct statements in context of USS Gerald R Ford:

1. It is world’s largest warship ever built.
2. It can reach the maximum speed of 56 Miles per Hour.
Select the correct answer using codes given below:
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A
Page19, GS2, Geolpolitics

Yoav Gallant, ordered a “complete siege” of the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian enclave has been under an air, land and sea blockade since 2007.

No electricity, no food,
no water, no fuel –
everything is closed

Only Power Station of Gaza ran

out of Fuel
 IMPORTANT DIMENSIONS
A strip of land wedged between the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Israel to the
north and east & South, and Egypt to the south-west, Gaza is home to more than
20 lakh Palestinians.

Under Military UN & Other Agencies This Occupation

Occupation since consider it an makes it open Air
1967 occupied territory Prison

Beginning of Occupation

• In the Six-Day War of 1967, Israel captured Gaza from Egypt & began military
occupation. | 21 Settlements in Gaza & persuaded Palestinians to leave
• 2005: Israel Withdrew its settlements from Gaza.
• 2005-2007: temporary blockades on the movement of people and goods
 IMPORTANT DIMENSIONS

OSLO Agreement - 1993

Admin Control Violence

Elections in Voting amidst Hamas wins
to Palestinian between
2006 the blockade majority seats
Authority Hamas & Fatah

• In 2007, after Hamas assumed power in Gaza, Israel made the

blockade permanent.

• Justified the blockade as necessary for Security.

• With walls on three sides and the Mediterranean on the fourth.

 IMPORTANT DIMENSIONS

The Iron Wall 1994

• In 1994, Israel built a 60-km-long fence along its border with Gaza.

3 Crossings
Karem Abu Salem
Crossing
• It has including walls that are 7 metres tall with sensors and remote-controlled
Erez Crossing
machine guns.
• There are also underground walls to prevent any movement through tunnels. Rafah Crossing

In the west, Israel controls the sea route into Gaza and doesn’t allow it be used for
the transfer of people or goods.
 IMPACT OF THE IRON WALL
Gaza Strip is 41 km long and 12 km wide at its widest point. More than 20 lakh residents live in
a total area of just around 365 sq km

Undermined High
Food Insecurity Aid Dependency
Economy Unemployment

61% of Gaza’s population requiring food aid

31% of households - difficulty in “essential education needs”
46% Unemployment Rate
11 Hours a day Power Cut
 #CSLIVE

Q Identify correct statements in context Gaza:

1. At its widest point Gaza is 41 km long and 12 km wide
2. Military Occupation of Gaza by Israel took place in 1967 after Israel captured it from Egypt
Select the correct answer using codes given below:
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
 #CSLIVE

Q Assertion: Gaza Strip is often referred to as World’s Biggest Open Air Prison
1. Reason: It is sandwiched between Mediterranean Sea and Israel plus Egypt
Select the correct answer using codes given below:
a) Both Assertion & Reason correct and Reason correctly justifies Assertion
b) Both Assertion & Reason correct but Reason does not correctly justifies Assertion
c) Assertion is true reason is false
d) Reason is true, Assertion is false
Answer: B
Page19, GS2, International Relations
 IMPORTANT DIMENSIONS
Israel is considered by many Indians as an example to following dealing with
cross border terrorism

India’s Formal Position

• India’s formal position remains unchanged — India supports the two-state solution, with
Israel and Palestine living side by side as good neighbours.

Backlash to Pro Israel Stance?

• Regimes in Arab countries have lost interest in the Palestinian cause. Example: Saudi
Arabia want to normalise relations with Israel.
• No Arab country will stop trading with India, or will suddenly become an enemy because of
New Delhi’s seemingly pro-Israel stance.
#CSLIVE
“CSLIVE Group”