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Ministers Join Settler March; Periphery Closed, Crowd Disputed

7/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir joined a settler march demanding Gaza settlement reconstruction.
Israel Defense Forces closed Gaza periphery from 8 a.m. Sunday July 19 to 8 a.m. Monday after organizers ignored order restricting route.
Nachala leader Daniella Weiss claimed over 10,000 participants, but Israeli media said only a few hundred gathered.
Palestinian lawyer Diana Buttu said Israel’s lack of accountability for crimes fuels settlement expansion and attempts to erase Palestinians.

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Story summary

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir joined a settler march demanding Gaza settlement reconstruction.
Israel Defense Forces closed Gaza periphery from 8 a.m. Sunday July 19 to 8 a.m. Monday after organizers ignored order restricting route.
Nachala leader Daniella Weiss claimed over 10,000 participants, but Israeli media said only a few hundred gathered.
Palestinian lawyer Diana Buttu said Israel’s lack of accountability for crimes fuels settlement expansion and attempts to erase Palestinians.