‘Israeli’ ministers lead march calling for Gaza settlements

• Far-right ministers in Netanyahu’s government joined a large march toward the Gaza Strip calling for immediate settlement expansion.
• The ‘Israeli’ army imposed a closed military zone in the western Negev ahead of the event.

Several ministers in ‘Israeli’ Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government participated in a large march toward the Gaza Strip on Sunday, calling for the establishment of settlements inside the territory.

The event, dubbed the “Thousands’ March to Gaza,” was held under the slogan “Now, now, now,” with participation from senior figures in the governing coalition and dozens of ‘Israeli’ Knesset members.

The ‘Israeli’ army announced the closure of a military zone in the western Negev starting at 8:00 a.m. and lasting until the following morning, citing security measures ahead of the march.

The march was organized amid calls from far-right officials to advance settlement plans in Gaza. Participants sought to promote the establishment of new settlements and the return of settlers to areas from which ‘Israeli’ settlements were removed in 2005.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Economy Minister Nir Barkat, and Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi were among the government figures associated with the event.

Ben-Gvir said the march represented a key event and highlighted coordination with the Nahala settlement movement, which has been involved in efforts to establish settlement outposts.

Smotrich called on Netanyahu to approve settlement plans, saying preparations for new settlements inside Gaza had been completed and that infrastructure plans were ready.

He described the proposed settlements as a security belt for communities near Gaza and the city of Sderot.

Meanwhile, Minister of Diaspora Affairs Amichai Chikli said the political borders of Gaza would not be determined through agreements with Hamas, but according to what he called “Zionist borders.”

Chikli said efforts were underway to establish settlement facilities inside Gaza before the next elections to create a new reality on the ground.