Right-wing Israeli activists have gathered to call for the return of Jewish settlement in Gaza.
Hundreds of right-wing and ultranationalist Israelis today attended a conference on the re-establishment of Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip.
The Gaza Strip has been devastated by the Israeli offensive since Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, leaving most of Gaza’s population displaced and much of the enclave facing a humanitarian crisis.
The conference, held near the Israel-Gaza border, brought together a number of prominent politicians, including some from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party, such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir.
Since the beginning of the war between Israel and Hamas, the Gaza resettlement movement has moved from the far-right wings of Israeli politics to a more mainstream discourse within Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition.
Netanyahu himself has publicly rejected the idea in the past, but has yet to clarify who will rule Gaza after the war.
However, some of his allies in the government have made clear their preferred outcome.
“If we want it, we can restore settlements in Gaza,” Ben Gvir told hundreds gathered at a two-day outdoor conference titled “Preparing for the Resettlement of Gaza” held about 3 km (2 miles) from the enclave.
Ben Gvir also called on Israel to “encourage the emigration” of Palestinians from Gaza, adding: “This is the best and most moral solution.”
As the conference continued, smoke could be seen rising from Gaza and loud booms of artillery could be heard in the distance.
In 2005, the military forcibly evacuated Jewish settlements from the Gaza Strip, sparking resentment against the state among many settlers who now want to return.