Far-right Nahala settler movement agrees not to enter Gaza, end march at lookout on border

Members of the far-right Nahala movement, whose march was titled "Thousands march to Gaza" with the slogan "After 21 years, we're returning home," have reached an agreement with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The accord stipulates that the group will not enter the Gaza Strip, concluding their demonstration at the Zikim beach entrance with a view of the former settlement of 'Eli Sinai' and the northern Gaza border. The movement reiterated its call for the "immediate establishment of the settlements of Nissanit, Dugit and Eli Sinai."

The march attracted significant political attention, with "28 cabinet members, ministers and members of Knesset" reportedly participating, alongside war-wounded individuals, fighters, and bereaved families. Notable figures expected to attend included National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, among others. The IDF had previously closed several roads near the Gaza border, designating the area a closed military zone until Monday morning to manage the event and prohibit protesters from approaching the border fence.

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The march will converge at the entrance to the Zikim beach and end with a lookout over the settlement of 'Eli Sinai' and the northern border of the Gaza Strip.

This demonstration follows previous marches organized by the Nahala movement towards Gaza since the October 7 attacks. In a February event, approximately 1,500 people gathered near the Gaza border to march and plant trees near the ruins of Nisanit. That demonstration was also met with condemnation from the IDF, which deployed soldiers and police to prevent participants from entering Gaza. Nahala founder and leader Daniella Weiss has previously faced sanctions from Canada and the United Kingdom for her views on Palestinians.

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We call on the public to continue to come in droves and take part in this historic process. With God's help, we will soon be able to establish the first settlements in the Gaza Strip - the heavens are marking the border!