IDF blocks roads leading to Gaza border after Nahala settlers attempt to build outpost overnight

Nahala claimed that over 700 people, including dozens of families with children, rabbis, MKs, bereaved families, and wounded IDF veterans, participated in establishing the "Pioneers of Gaza" outpost.Follow us on Google Settlers from the Nahala movement establish an outpost near the Gaza border. (Credit: Nahala Movement)OCTOBER 16, 2026 09:57The IDF began blocking roads in the area of Kibbutz Nahal Oz and Kibbutz Kfar Aza on Friday morning after activists from the Nahala settlement movement arrived overnight at Simhoni Forest, between the Gaza border communities and the border fence with the Gaza Strip, in an attempt to establish an outpost.Israel Police officers dispersed the settlers, and following the incident, the IDF declared the area between the border fence and the Israeli communities a closed military zone to prevent them from returning.The Nahala movement claimed that more than 700 people, including dozens of families with children, rabbis, MKs, bereaved families, and wounded IDF veterans, participated in what the movement described as the establishment of a new community called "Pioneers of Gaza."Military sources, however, said that only about 50 people were actually present at the site. According to the organizers, structures were installed, and basic infrastructure was established as part of efforts to promote the establishment of an Israeli community inside the Gaza Strip.Settlers from the Nahala movement build an outpost near the Gaza border, October 15, 2026. (credit: NAHALA SETTLEMENT MOVEMENT)IDF concerned settlers might attempt to catch forces off guardThe declaration of a closed military zone was intended to prevent the activists from returning to the area where they had attempted to establish the outpost.At the same time, the IDF was preparing for the possibility that some activists would attempt to bypass the roadblocks, reach the border fence, and even cross into the Gaza Strip.Nahala movement aims to renew Israeli settlement of Gaza StripThe Nahala movement described the initiative as a first step toward renewing Israeli settlement in the Gaza Strip.Although the activists reached the area between the Israeli communities and the border fence, rather than entering Gaza itself, their stated goal is to establish Israeli communities inside the Strip.The movement called on the government to order the relocation of the settlement site to what it described as "the northern perimeter area of Gaza."The movement's demands went beyond relocating the settlement site into the Gaza Strip. In a statement, it called on the next government to include the establishment of Israeli communities in Gaza, the repeal of the Disengagement Law, and the encouragement of emigration in its coalition guidelines.According to the movement, only taking control of territory and establishing settlements would make it clear to the enemy that it had lost the war.Follow us on Google