From the Liveblog of
Sunday, July 19, 2026
Accompanied by Likud minister, dozens of settler activists breach IDF checkpoint en route to Gaza Strip
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleOver a hundred radical pro-settlement Israelis, accompanied by Economy Minister Nir Barkat, of Likud, have breached an IDF checkpoint to enter a closed military zone around the Gaza Strip as they push forward in a bid to enter the Palestinian enclave.
The demonstrators are at the forefront of a march intended to cross into Gaza with the goal of resettling the territory and reestablishing Israel’s Gush Katif settlement bloc there.
The so-called “March of Thousands,” organized by the Nachala settler group, prompted the IDF to declare the area surrounding the Gaza Strip a closed military zone until tomorrow morning.
Nevertheless, the activists are passing through the checkpoint with little resistance from security forces in the area.
Several IDF officials at the scene confirm to The Times of Israel that no permit has been given to cross into the closed military zone.
The group is still within Israel, and has not yet reached the Gaza border.
Religious Zionist extremists breach an army checkpoint meant to block their way into Gaza, as they march to resettle the territory. Likud Economy minister Nir Barkat is at the scene in support of the marchers pic.twitter.com/tFcVnHhHB8
— charlie summers (@cbsu03) July 19, 2026
The Times of Israel Community.