Nahala reaches agreement with IDF not to enter Gaza Strip during march

Participants 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, with Walla later reporting that over 10,000 demonstrators are participating in the march.“The march will converge at the entrance to the Zikim beach and end with a lookout over the settlement of Elei 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 Elei 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.”Nahala founder and leader Daniella Weiss has been sanctioned by both Canada and the United Kingdom for her attitudes toward Palestinians.Economy and Industry Minister MK Nir Barkat, Nahala founder and leader Daniella Weiss participate in a march to Gaza, July 19, 2026. (credit: Via Walla)Israeli ministers expected to participateMajor Israeli political figures attending the march include National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and Economy and Industry Minister Nir Barkat.“We are working hard so that we will be able to settle [Gaza] again,” Smotrich said during the march, according to Walla.In addition, Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu, Social Equality Minister May Golan, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, MK Limor Son Har-Melech (Otzma Yehudit), MK Almog Cohen (Otzma Yehudit), MK Simcha Rothman (Religious Zionist Party), and MK Zvi Sukkot (Religious Zionist Party) were also expected to participate.National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir attends a march to Gaza organized by the far-right Nahala settler movement on July 19, 2026. (Credit: Via Walla)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.