On July 19, 2026, the “March of Thousands,” marking 21 years since Israel’s evacuation of its Gush Katif settlement bloc inside the Gaza Strip, drew leading politicians from the religious Zionist camp, such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, as well as politicians from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party.

According to event organizers in the Nachala settler group, a total of 28 ministers and coalition lawmakers attended the event. A spokeswoman called the support from more mainstream elements of the Israeli right “very significant”relative to previous attempted marches into the Strip.

Thousands of right-wing Israeli activists, many bused from West Bank settlements, gathered at Zikim Beach and marched toward the Gaza perimeter fence to demand the re-establishment of Israeli settlements in Gaza. The army had declared the area a closed military zone, and soldiers initially tried to turn the marchers back at checkpoints, but they faced little resistance and continued toward the fence.

During the march, police and military forces largely allowed the activists to advance, despite the restrictions. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir joined the march, while soldiers handed out bottled water and some told protesters "well done." Hundreds reached a military-only road beside the fence, where they danced and sang a song calling for vengeance against Palestinians. Military vehicles later transported some participants back to the shuttle pickup point.

Daniella Weiss, leader of the Nachala settler movement, called for three settlements to be established in northern Gaza "even before the elections." She declared, "We're here to make Gaza Jewish again," and said, "There will be no more Arabs in Gaza." Former Neve Dekalim resident Mazal Haniya also said she wanted to return to her former settlement and suggested Palestinians should leave Gaza.

Economy Minister Nir Barkat thanked Weiss for her efforts, saying she was acting in coordination with the Israeli government.

Ben Gvir celebrated Israel's control over much of Gaza without mentioning the mass destruction and deaths caused by the war.

The march followed years of increasing normalization of far-right activism advocating Israeli settlements in Gaza. Similar left-wing demonstrations near the fence had previously been violently dispersed and resulted in arrests, contrasting this with the authorities' permissive treatment of the right-wing march. The event also coincided with the official launch of the right-wing election campaign.