As elections approach in October, the right-wing faction in Israel is making the reconstruction of Jewish settlements in Gaza a key focus of their electoral strategy.
This initiative is part of a larger movement aimed at urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reverse the 2005 disengagement from Gaza, during which Israel unilaterally dismantled its settlements.
On Sunday, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, prominent far-right figures in Netanyahu’s administration, led a large gathering of Israeli settlers and activists to the Gaza border, advocating for the reestablishment of three settlements in northern Gaza: Nisanit, Dugit, and Elei Sinai. The event, organized by the hardline Nachala settler group, featured senior government officials and parliament members. This demonstration is not merely a political maneuver aimed at garnering right-wing support; it represents a broader aspiration of Israel’s far-right to expand settlements in the occupied West Bank and revitalize settlement in Gaza, which they view as a critical opportunity to influence Netanyahu’s policies during a time when Israel controls a significant portion of Gaza.
To hinder the demonstration from entering Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared the region a closed military zone, prompting organizers to modify their route. Nevertheless, the participants persisted, attempting to reach the Gaza perimeter while navigating around barriers set up by the military and police.
Buses brought families, including children and teens, from Jewish settlements in the occupied West Bank, while young supporters from the parties of Ben Gvir and Smotrich distributed campaign materials and leaflets.
“Three years ago, if anyone had claimed we would control 70% of Gaza, it would have seemed implausible,” Ben Gvir stated during the rally.
“Today, I assert that there will be Jewish settlements throughout Gaza,” he continued, suggesting that Israel should “promote voluntary migration” of Palestinians—an idea that was briefly considered by the Trump administration but ultimately dismissed in the Gaza ceasefire agreement.
“We are coming home. Gaza belongs to us,” declared Ben Gvir.
Smotrich framed the situation in stark political terms, cautioning that a shift in government could reverse “all the achievements of the Zionist and national settlement movement” made in the last four years under Israel’s most right-wing administration.
“All of this progress could be reversed – and we will return here to prevent evacuations,” he stated. Smotrich has significantly expanded settlements in the West Bank during the current government and is determined to continue this trajectory.
Since October 7, 2023, both Smotrich and Ben Gvir have advocated for the revival of settlements in Gaza, interpreting the ongoing conflict as an opportunity to undo the 2005 disengagement.
Smotrich, also overseeing settlement affairs in the defense ministry, mentioned in June that plans for three settlements in northern Gaza are awaiting Netanyahu’s green light. He considers Gaza to be “an integral part of the land of Israel” and argues that renewed settlements would enhance security. “Without settlements, there is no security,” Smotrich remarked in late June.
The Defense Minister, Israel Katz, has announced plans to create three military outposts in the region. The Israeli government often uses these outposts as initial steps towards establishing a civilian presence, which is then gradually developed into communities and settlements.
However, Netanyahu has neither supported nor opposed these settlement initiatives, and they have not yet been presented to the cabinet. He currently heads a caretaker government until the upcoming election on October 27.
Presently, Israeli forces control about 60% of Gaza, with Netanyahu stating that he has instructed the military to capture 70% or more. According to the ceasefire agreement brokered by the U.S. in October 2025, Israel was expected to withdraw to approximately 53%, though the IDF has since extended its hold well beyond that limit. The Trump administration’s peace plan and ceasefire framework specifically prohibited the occupation or annexation of Gaza.
Prior to the disengagement in 2005, Israel had 21 settlements in Gaza, which housed around 8,000 settlers. The unilateral withdrawal under former Prime Minister Ariel Sharon dismantled these communities and removed four additional settlements in the northern West Bank. Recently, Netanyahu’s administration has reversed certain aspects of that policy, including laws permitting Israelis to return to previously evacuated areas in the West Bank and the authorization of new settlements.
Last week, the Israeli government approved plans to allocate over 2.3 billion shekels (approximately $766 million) for the establishment of new Jewish settlements and the construction of access roads in the occupied West Bank, part of an intensified effort to consolidate the settlement movement and undermine the potential for a future Palestinian state.
The international community, including most nations and the United Nations, regards all Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank as illegal under international law. However, in recent years, settlers have successfully established numerous unauthorized outposts, which eventually received official approval from the Israeli government.
Israel’s renewed effort to expand settlements, coupled with the ongoing conflict in Gaza and an increase in settler violence, has led to a surge in global criticism of the country. Recently, several nations, including the UK, France, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Norway, have imposed new sanctions on individuals and groups associated with the settler movement, as well as travel bans on Ben Gvir and Smotrich in select European countries.
This article has been updated to clarify the characterization of Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank as illegal under international law.
