Thousands rally near Gaza border calling for return of former Israeli settlements

Thousands of Israelis rallied near Zikim Beach on Sunday evening, calling for the reestablishment of Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip, nearly 21 years after Israel dismantled its communities there in 2005. Organized by the right-wing Nachala movement, the event drew numerous senior members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's governing coalition, including Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. Participants overlooked northern Gaza and the site of the former Elei Sinai settlement, advocating for the immediate rebuilding of Elei Sinai, Dugit, and Nisanit.

"We are ready to establish three communities in northern Gaza immediately, as soon as the prime minister gives the green light," Smotrich said in June.

The rally, held under slogans like "Returning home after 21 years," aimed to send a political message for resettling northern Gaza, with Likud lawmaker Avichay Buaron stating, "What led to Oct. 7 was the fact that we were not there." Security authorities declared parts of the western Negev a closed military zone to prevent participants from marching closer to the border, citing previous incidents of civilians crossing into Gaza.