Israeli ministers join march demanding Gaza settlements be rebuilt

Several Israeli cabinet ministers and members of parliament joined a march towards Gaza, calling for the reconstruction of illegal Jewish settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory. The demonstration on Sunday proceeded despite last-minute military orders that blocked their path, stemming from concerns that participants might attempt to breach the Gaza border fence.

The rally marks a significant development as the push to reoccupy Gaza gains traction within mainstream Israeli politics, moving beyond its previous status as a fringe movement. Notably, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party was listed as a sponsor, despite Netanyahu's prior assertions that Gaza would not be reoccupied. The Israeli military had declared the area around the rally a closed military zone for 24 hours to prevent participants from crossing into Gaza.

Organizers, a group of illegal settlers, dubbed the event the 'March of the Thousands.' They claimed over 10,000 people attended, though Israeli media reports estimated the crowd at only a few hundred. The march was led by Daniella Weiss, a prominent figure long advocating for Israeli settlements in Gaza. During a Likud party conference, Weiss vocally stated that Palestinians would 'disappear' from the territory.

Video footage verified by Al Jazeera's verification unit shows dozens of Israelis gathered at the border fence. Israeli media reported that the march included Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who oversees illegal settlement affairs, and Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, along with more than a dozen other ministers and parliament members.

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Palestinians will 'disappear' from the territory.