Thousands Gather at Zikim Beach for Gaza March Amid Military Restrictions

The Nahala movement announced on Sunday evening that following an agreement with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), the "March of Thousands to Gaza" will convene at the entrance road to Zikim Beach. Organizers stated the event will conclude with a viewing of the settlement Eli Sinai and the northern boundary of the Gaza Strip, calling for the immediate reestablishment of the settlements Nisanit, Dugit, and Eli Sinai.

The police set up checkpoints, including one at the entrance to Nir Am, to prevent civilians from entering Gaza, as there is an access path near the kibbutz leading to the border. Although police approved the rally at Zikim Beach, it was not confirmed whether permission was granted for the march itself. The route change followed the IDF's declaration of a closed military zone earlier Sunday after a situation assessment. The order, effective for 24 hours until 8:00 a.m. Monday, covers the western Negev area from the Yad Mordechai junction westward to Sha'ar HaNegev junction and from Sha'ar HaNegev westward to Kerem Shalom.

The IDF emphasized that residents and workers in the area would still be allowed entry to local communities. Earlier reports indicated that several ministers and Knesset members planned to attend the march under slogans such as "Marking the Boundary" and "Returning Home After 21 Years." Participants included Cabinet ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, Likud ministers Nir Barkat, Shlomo Karhi, Amichai Shikli, May Golan, and Idit Silman, as well as Minister Amichai Eliyahu and Deputy Minister Almog Cohen.

The northern boundary was a bloc of settlements in northern Gaza, including Eli Sinai, Dugit, and Nisanit, plus the Erez industrial zone, evacuated during the disengagement plan. Recently, Minister Smotrich and others have called for resettlement there. Finance Minister and Defense Ministry official Smotrich stated in late June that they are prepared to immediately establish three settlements in the northern Gaza boundary once given the green light by the Prime Minister.

In an interview with ynet, Knesset member Boaron (Likud), who announced his participation, said about 28 ministers and MKs are expected to attend. He stressed that no one intends to break the law or enter Gaza, and the event is coordinated with the military, police, and relevant authorities. Boaron said the message is clear: the northern Gaza boundary should be resettled, noting that the October 7 attacks happened because Israel was not present there. When asked about the IDF's decision, he speculated it might be a security precaution to prevent event spillover but deferred to the IDF spokesperson for details.