Amid coalition calls for annexation, settlement movements march to border, demand return to Gaza

An event marking the 20th anniversary of the expulsion from Gush Katif was held on Wednesday evening by members of the settlement bloc, the Nachalah setters movement, bereaved families and hostages, and settlement organizations from across Israel. 

The event began with a march from the train station in Sderot to the Assaf Siboni lookout, about one kilometer from Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip. 

The march was primarily organized by the Nachalah movement, which seeks to re-establish Jewish settlement in Gaza after the war, aiming to reverse what it considers the injustice of the disengagement and the withdrawal from Gush Katif 20 years ago.

The event coincided with an official request submitted to Defense Minister Israel Katz by members of Nachalah and other settlement groups, seeking permission to conduct a preliminary tour of areas in Gaza in preparation for renewed Jewish settlement.

"Twenty years ago, the State of Israel expelled its citizens from Gush Katif. Today, after the heavy price we paid, it's time to make amends. The real victory will be in rebuilding where the murderers came from," said a letter signed by several Cabinet ministers, coalition members of Knesset, and heads of settlement groups. 

"This is an accessible, safe, and familiar area to the IDF, which currently has no security restrictions. We ask that a coordinated civilian tour be approved, which will lead to the opening of a new chapter of repair and construction," the letter to Katz stated. 

With the 20th anniversary of the Gush Katif expulsion, as well as the approaching end of the Gaza War, settler groups in Israel, including members of the coalition government, have renewed calls to restore Jewish settlement in Gaza, despite repeated statements by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that this is not part of the Israeli government’s plan for the post-war period. 

However, in recent days, various reports in Hebrew media claim that Israel is ready to threaten Hamas with annexation of parts of Gaza, if the terror group harms any of the remaining hostages. Several Likud members last year urged Netanyahu to annex parts of Gaza if the terror group harmed any of the remaining hostages, following the execution of six Israeli captives at the time.

Among those participating in the Nachalah march were citizens who were expelled from the Gush Katif settlements – many waiving the orange flags associated with those who opposed the disengagement and the expulsion of Gush Katif. Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi (Likud party) and Knesset Member Limor Son Har Melech (Jewish Power party) also participated in the march. 

Karhi has previously called for Israel to annex all of the Gaza Strip, and he did so again in a video released on social media during the march. 

“We want all of the Gaza Strip,” he said in the video. Now our soldiers are there, conquering the territory, and Jewish settlement is a must. That’s the reality.” 

Earlier this week, Finance Minister and Religious Zionism party head Bezalel Smotrich issued a similar statement during a speech at the Gush Katif museum. 

“We didn’t sacrifice all this to transfer Gaza from one Arab to another Arab. Gaza is an inseparable part of the land of Israel,” Smotrich stated. “I don’t want to go back to Gush Katif – it’s too small. It needs to be much bigger. Gaza today allows us to think a little bigger.” 

While these statements come at a time when many Israelis are eager to see an end to the war, a new poll conducted by Israel Hayom shows growing public support for renewed Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip.

The Israel Hayom report found that many Israelis believe there is a direct connection between the Disengagement and the Oct. 7, 2023 massacre. 

Asked whether Israel made a mistake in carrying out the disengagement, 76% of respondents agreed that it had. Many of those surveyed also stated that the Oct. 7 attack and the Iron Swords War changed their view of the disengagement, with 70% saying this was true for them. 

In a similar vein, when asked whether a similar disengagement could be carried out in Judea and Samaria, 64% of respondents said it would not be possible

Regarding resettlement of the Gaza Strip after the war, 52% of respondents say they support resettlement.