Israeli ministers lead march calling for settlements in Gaza

Israeli ministers and lawmakers led a large-scale demonstration near the Gaza border on Sunday, advocating for the re-establishment of Israeli settlements in the Palestinian enclave. The rally, organized by the settler group Nachala, drew thousands of participants under the banner "Returning home after 21 years," referencing Israel’s 2005 disengagement from Gaza. Among those present were high-ranking officials such as Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, both prominent figures aligned with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party. The demonstration took place in the vicinity of Kibbutz Zikim, a location strategically positioned near the Gaza frontier. Participants marched toward the border despite the Israeli military having designated the area as a restricted zone. Many bypassed checkpoints and approached the barrier separating Israel from Gaza, though none reportedly crossed into the territory. Some individuals attended the rally independently, while others brought family members, including young children. During the event, Nachala leader Daniella Weiss addressed the crowd, responding to questions about the future of Gaza’s Arab population. She stated unequivocally, “There will be no more Arabs in Gaza.” Smotrich echoed similar sentiments, drawing parallels to the reoccupation of parts of the northern West Bank, which had been vacated during the 2005 withdrawal. He claimed that just as they had rectified the perceived failure of that earlier evacuation, they would similarly reclaim Gaza. Ben Gvir asserted that Jewish settlements would be established throughout Gaza. He called for encouraging Palestinians to relocate voluntarily and emphasized that the region was inherently Israeli. “We are walking today to tell the government of Israel and show all the world that this land belongs to us,” he said. Participants displayed symbols of their cause, including stickers bearing the message “Gaza is ours forever” and flags promoting the construction of a Third Temple in place of the Al-Aqsa Mosque. These items reflected the broader ideological motivations behind the movement, which seeks to assert Jewish sovereignty over the entire region. The push for settlement expansion in Gaza has gained momentum since the onset of the conflict in 2023. Settler organizations have increasingly vocalized their intent to reestablish communities in the area, with Nachala claiming that over 1,000 families are prepared to move into Gaza. This assertion underscores a growing political and social trend among certain factions in Israel, who view the reoccupation of Gaza as both a strategic necessity and a fulfillment of historical claims. Historically, Israel had established 21 settlements in Gaza prior to its 2005 withdrawal. Today, approximately 250 settlements exist across the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, accommodating roughly 700,000 residents. International legal frameworks classify these settlements as unlawful, yet their presence continues to shape regional dynamics and diplomatic relations. The recent demonstration highlights the ongoing tensions surrounding territorial control and the aspirations of various political entities in the region. As the situation evolves, the actions of both Israeli authorities and Palestinian populations remain critical factors influencing the trajectory of future developments.