Israeli Ministers Join Planned Protest March Into Gaza as IDF Declares Closed Military Zone

Several right-wing organizations in Israel have organized a protest march scheduled for Sunday that aims to enter the northern Gaza Strip. In response, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared a closed military zone in the western Negev area surrounding Gaza, effective from 8:00 AM Sunday until 8:00 AM Monday. The restricted area extends from the Yad Mordechai junction west of Highway 34 to the Sha'ar HaNegev junction, and from Sha'ar HaNegev west of Highway 232 to Kerem Shalom, with access allowed only for residents and workers in the region.

The protest, dubbed the "March of Thousands," is expected to include participation from several Israeli ministers and Knesset members, notably Bezalel Smotrich, Shlomo Karhi, Itamar Ben-Gvir, Amichai Shikli, Nir Barkat, Amichai Eliyahu, Mai Golan, and Idit Silman. Many participants are affiliated with the Likud, Religious Zionism, and Otzma Yehudit parties. Smotrich has previously announced plans for establishing new settlements in northern Gaza, urging Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Defense Minister to approve these initiatives.

This demonstration follows a similar event in late December 2025, when families from the "Nahala" settlement movement crossed into Gaza, briefly raising an Israeli flag before being returned to Israeli territory by IDF forces. The earlier incident included children and at least one infant among the participants. The current march reflects ongoing tensions and political efforts to assert Israeli presence near or within Gaza despite security concerns.