Israeli Ministers Defy Military Orders in March to Rebuild Gaza Settlements

Israeli cabinet ministers and parliamentarians participated in a march toward Gaza on Sunday, demanding the reconstruction of Jewish settlements in the Palestinian territory. The event defied a last-minute military order that restricted the marchers' route over concerns that some participants intended to cross the border fence into Gaza.

The rally represents the latest sign that calls to resettle Gaza have moved from the political margins into Israel's mainstream political discourse. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud party was listed among the event's sponsors, despite Netanyahu's own insistence that Gaza will not be resettled.

Military Restrictions Defied as Marchers Reach Border

The Israeli army designated the area surrounding Gaza as a closed military zone for 24 hours, a measure explicitly intended to stop marchers from crossing into the Palestinian territory. Despite the restriction, some participants bypassed checkpoints by trekking through nearby hillsides to reach the Gaza border fence. Video footage verified by Al Jazeera's verification unit confirmed dozens of Israelis gathered at the fence.

The settler organization Nachala, which organized the demonstration, branded it the "March of Thousands" and claimed attendance exceeded 10,000 people. Israeli media reports, however, estimated the crowd at only a few hundred participants — a significant discrepancy that underscores the contested nature of the event's scale.

Senior Cabinet Members Among the Marchers

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, who also oversees settlement affairs, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir were among the senior officials participating. Israeli media reported that more than two dozen ministers and legislators joined the march. Both Smotrich and Ben-Gvir have been sanctioned by several European countries.

Ben-Gvir, a member of Netanyahu's cabinet, posted a video of himself among the marchers with the caption: "Gaza is ours." Smotrich separately called on Israelis not to miss what he described as a "historic opportunity" to rebuild settlements in Gaza.

Marching under the banner "returning home after 21 years," participants demanded the reconstruction of Elei Sinai, Dugit, and Nisanit — three settlements that were evacuated when Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005.

Nachala's Longstanding Advocacy and Past Incidents

Nachala is led by Daniella Weiss, who has long advocated for Israel resettling Gaza. Speaking at a Likud party conference, Weiss stated that Palestinians would "disappear" from the territory.

The organization has tested boundaries before. In December, a group of Nachala activists briefly crossed into Gaza and planted an Israeli flag before soldiers brought them back across the fence.

Palestinian lawyer and analyst Diana Buttu told Al Jazeera that Israel's settlement drive has been enabled by a lack of accountability. "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," she said.

The march highlights a growing alignment between the settler movement and senior figures within Israel's government. With Likud's sponsorship and the participation of key cabinet members, the demand to rebuild settlements in Gaza has moved firmly into the political mainstream, raising questions about the future trajectory of Israeli policy toward the territory.

As these developments continue to unfold, the convergence of domestic political pressure, military authority, and international response remains a critical focal point for observers worldwide. Share this article with your network and join the conversation about these escalating tensions.

Source: Al Jazeera English