Settler activists breach at least 4 IDF checkpoints in march to Gaza border; security forces do little to stop them

At least four army checkpoints erected on the route to the Gaza Strip’s northern border have been breached by radical settler activists marching in support of renewed Jewish settlement in the Palestinian territory, with little resistance from security forces.

Despite the fact that the march is taking place in a closed military zone and in spite of the IDF’s express orders, the “March of Thousands” has enjoyed broad support from members of Israel’s government. According to organizers in the Nachala settler group, it has been attended by 28 ministers and coalition lawmakers.

Speaking about a kilometer from the border at the thousands-strong march, Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi (Likud) expresses his support for Jewish settlement in Gaza.

He calls to “settle in all the regions of land granted to our forefathers, to show our enemies that it’s not worth messing with us, to show a meaningful picture of victory.”

He continues to urge Israelis to “plant deep roots in every land granted to our forefathers, including the Gaza region.”

Earlier today, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was seen shaking hands with and offering his support to the marchers near the beginning of the route.

After breaching the first barricade near Zikim Beach, marchers split off into several directions, hiking up sand dunes to skirt around army jeeps and policemen.

Some made it to a hill abutting the Gaza border fence. It is unclear whether any marchers succeeded in crossing into the territory.