Police detain 14 as dozens of far-right activists try to breach Gaza border for prayers
Security forces block attempt that comes on 19th anniversary of disengagement from Strip; police also dismantle ‘settlement’ set up near border
Police detained at least 14 Israelis as dozens of far-right activists tried to breach the Gaza border and conduct a prayer session in the Strip and others tried to set up an encampment that would be a precursor to a new settlement in the territory, Hebrew media reported Thursday.
The arrests came as far-right groups in the area marked the 19th anniversary of Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza and dismantling of Jewish settlements there.
According to the Maariv newspaper, seven people were arrested and some 20 taken for questioning after dozens of far-right youth tried to break through the Gaza border to hold the morning Jewish prayer service. Border Police officers blocked the group as it tried to enter the Strip through its northern Erez crossing.
“We were honored to take part in an attempt to hold Shacharit prayers inside the Gaza Strip, with the belief that Gaza is part of the Greater Land of Israel and from the clear understanding that only settlement can be considered a victory,” read a statement carried by Hebrew media from an unnamed group that organized the prayers.
Another seven people were reportedly arrested as police dismantled Elei Aza, a two-month-old religious settlement that was set up on state land near Gaza’s northern border. Residents of the encampment, whose name means “toward Gaza” in Hebrew, said they were trying to resettle the Strip.
The group said it had recordings of a conversation with police and army officials “telling us to be in the area where we are now.”
“Truth will come to light,” added the statement.
The arrests came after right-wing groups held a mass prayer near the Gaza border on Tuesday. The prayers marked Tisha B’av, the anniversary of the destruction of Jerusalem’s two ancient Jewish temples, and had been set to take place next to the entrance to central Gaza’s Netzarim Corridor.
Ahead of the prayer, however, the army enlarged the closed area around Gaza’s border, moving the service father away from the Strip. Though the army’s statement did not give a reason, it came amid reported fears that settler activists would attempt to breach the border.
Israel’s “disengagement” from the Strip in 2005 was a watershed of the settler movement, which has long sought to reverse the decision. Pursuit of the goal has been revitalized after the war in Gaza was sparked on October 7, when thousands of Hamas-led terrorists stormed southern Israel to kill nearly 1,200 people and take 251 hostages.
In January, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir drew international condemnation for participating in a “victory conference” in Jerusalem that promoted Jewish resettlement of the Strip and “encouraged emigration” of its Palestinian population.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has publicly opposed resettlement, most recently in his July 24 address to the US Congress.
