Israeli ministers join march to Gaza to demand return of settlements

Hundreds of Israelis, including cabinet ministers and parliamentarians, marched toward the Gaza border on Sunday, calling for the reconstruction of Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territory. The rally, organized by the settler group Nachala, was branded the “March of Thousands,” with organizers claiming over 10,000 attendees, though Israeli media reports estimated the crowd at only a few hundred.

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Gaza is ours

The march proceeded despite a last-minute military order designating the surrounding area a closed military zone for 24 hours, aimed at preventing participants from crossing into Gaza. Some marchers reportedly bypassed checkpoints through nearby hillsides to reach the border fence. Video verified by Al Jazeera showed dozens of Israelis gathered at the fence.

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returning home after 21 years

Among the attendees were Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, both of whom have faced sanctions from European countries. They marched under the banner “returning home after 21 years,” demanding the rebuilding of Elei Sinai, Dugit, and Nisanit – settlements evacuated in Israel's 2005 withdrawal from Gaza. Ben-Gvir posted a video from the march with the caption, “Gaza is ours,” while Smotrich urged Israelis not to miss a “historic opportunity” to rebuild settlements.

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historic opportunity

This demonstration marks a significant escalation in the push to resettle Gaza, a movement that has moved from the political fringes into mainstream Israeli discourse. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party was listed as a sponsor, despite Netanyahu’s public statements that Gaza will not be resettled. Palestinian lawyer Diana Buttu criticized the settlement drive, stating that Israel's lack of accountability emboldens its actions.

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Because Israel has never been punished for its crimes, it’s only natural that a country that commits genocide and ethnic cleansing feels emboldened to steal more land