Israeli Settlers Push for Resettlement of Gaza Amid Growing Tensions
Kibbutz Be’eri, Israel — As tensions between Israel and Hamas continue to escalate, a growing number of Israeli settlers are calling for the resettlement of Gaza, advocating for their right to reclaim the territory. At a conference held near Kibbutz Be’eri, dozens of Israelis, many with their families, expressed their desire to move into Gaza once it becomes “safe” to do so.
Avi, an Israeli man attending the event with his wife and three children, gazed towards Gaza, located just two miles away, and spoke about his hope to live there soon. “It would be our privilege,” he said, as another shell exploded nearby, a reminder of the ongoing conflict in the region.
The conference attendees, many of whom were couples with children, showed strong support for the resettlement plan, a proposal that has gained traction among right-wing Israeli politicians in recent weeks. Until recently, the idea of sending settlers into Gaza was considered fringe, with little mainstream political backing. However, the tide appears to be shifting as calls to not only defeat Hamas but also to reshape the region grow louder.
When asked about the fate of Palestinians currently living in Gaza, one Israeli woman did not hesitate to share her extreme view. “We should kill them, every last one of them,” she said. “And if the government won’t do that, then we should just kick them out. This is our land. And we deserve it.”
Daniella Weiss, a prominent figure in the Israeli settlement movement for over half a century, took the stage at the conference to enthusiastic applause. At 79, Weiss is credited with helping establish more than 330 settlements in the West Bank. Now, her focus has shifted to Gaza, where she aims to further the movement’s expansion.
The resurgence of this resettlement initiative comes amid the broader conflict between Israel and Hamas, adding another layer of complexity to an already volatile situation. For many Palestinians, the potential resettlement of Gaza by Israeli settlers represents an existential threat to their homes and lives, while for the settlers, it is seen as a fulfillment of their historic and religious rights.
As the violence continues, the idea of Israeli settlers moving into Gaza is likely to remain a point of contention, further intensifying the debate over land and sovereignty in the region.