Far-right Nahala settler movement agrees not to enter Gaza, end march at lookout on border

The march, titled "Thousands march to Gaza," bears the slogan "After 21 years, we're returning home," referencing the 2005 disengagement from Gush Katif.Follow us on GoogleDemonstartors participate in a march to Gaza organized by the far-right Nahala settler movement, July 19, 2026.(photo credit: VIA WALLA)ByJERUSALEM POST STAFFJULY 19, 2026 17:09Updated: JULY 19, 2026 17:42Participants in the Nahala movement's march to Gaza reached an agreement with the IDF on Sunday not to enter the strip, according to a statement released by the movement."The march will converge at the entrance to the Zikim beach and end with a lookout over the settlement of 'Eli Sinai' and the northern border of the Gaza Strip," the statement said.Demonstrators participate in a march to Gaza organized by the far-right Nahala settler movement, July 19, 2026. (credit: Via Walla)The group added that it will call for "the immediate establishment of the settlements of Nissanit, Dugit and Eli Sinai.""We call on the public to continue to come in droves and take part in this historic process," said the movement. "With God's help, we will soon be able to establish the first settlements in the Gaza Strip - the heavens are marking the border!"The statement noted the participation of "28 cabinet members, ministers and members of Knesset, alongside war wounded, fighters and bereaved families" in the march, alongside Israelis from "all over the country."The Israeli army near the border fence with Gaza, southern Israel. February 09, 2026. (credit: Tsafrir Abayov/Flash90)Nahala founder and leader Daniella Weiss has been sanctioned by both Canada and the United Kingdom for her attitudes towards Palestinians.Major Israeli political figures expected to attend the march include National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat, Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu, and Social Equality Minister May Golan.In addition, MKs Limor Son Har-Melech (Otzma Yehudit), Almog Cohen (Otzma Yehudit), Simcha Rothman (Religious Zionist Party), and Zvi Sukkot (Religious Zionist Party) are also expected to participate.IDF closes roads near Gaza borderThe IDF closed several roads near the Gaza border earlier on Sunday in anticipation of the planned march, declaring the area a closed military zone until 8:00 a.m. on Monday.The restrictions extend from the Yad Mordechai junction, west of Highway 34, to the Sha'ar Hanegev junction, and from there west of Highway 232 to the Kerem Shalom area.As part of the closures, protesters are prohibited from entering the Gaza border fence area.Previous Nahala Gaza marchesThe Nahala movement has organized several similar marches towards Gaza since the October 7 attacks.In a February march, 1,500 people gathered along the Gaza border to march toward the Strip and plant trees near the ruins of Nisanit.The demonstration was condemned by the IDF, which deployed soldiers and Israel Police officers to the area to prevent the march from progressing into Gaza.A separate Nahala march successfully crossed the Gaza border in December, with IDF soldiers returning the demonstrators to Israeli territory.Follow us on Google