Over 10,000 March Calling for Immediate Jewish Settlements in Gaza Strip

On Sunday, more than 10,000 people participated in a protest march led by the Nahala movement, demanding the immediate establishment of Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip, specifically in the areas of Nisanit, Dugit, and Eli Sinai. The march began at the entrance to Zikim Beach and proceeded to the northern boundary observation point near the Eli Sinai settlement area. The event included ministers, Knesset members, war veterans, fighters, and bereaved families. Among the notable attendees were Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Minister Nir Barkat, and Knesset members Oshrat Shkedi, Ariel Kallner, and Limor Son Har-Melech.

Minister Smotrich expressed optimism about the prospects of approving Jewish settlement in Gaza during the upcoming Knesset session, stating, "We are working hard to succeed in settling during this term." Daniela Weiss, chairwoman of the Nahala movement, emphasized the historical significance of the march, referencing the October 7 massacre as a turning point and asserting that Israel will return to Gaza. She called for the restoration of the northern settlement bloc in Gaza and highlighted the need to remove the current restrictions on the area.

Earlier on Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces declared a closed military zone in the western Negev to prevent marchers from entering Gaza. The order took effect in the morning and will last 24 hours along key routes leading to the border. The IDF clarified that local residents and workers from the Gaza envelope communities would be allowed normal access to their villages. Military forces were deployed to enforce these restrictions.

The Nahala movement urged the public to continue participating in large numbers to support the historic initiative of reestablishing Jewish settlements in Gaza, aiming to solidify Israel's presence in the northern Gaza area.