The IDF issued a closed military zone order covering the entire Gaza border area, making entry a criminal offense, ahead of a planned civilian march organized by the Nachala movement that ministers and MKs are expected to join. The military said it held a situation assessment and is aware of intentions to breach the border and enter the Strip.
At 06:49 Jerusalem, the IDF issued a formal closed military zone order covering the entire Gaza border area, making any unauthorized entry a criminal offense. The order comes less than an hour after initial reports of the military's preparations to block a planned mass march organized by the Nachala movement, which ministers and Knesset members are expected to join. The military said it conducted a situation assessment and is aware of participants' intentions to breach the fence and enter the Gaza Strip.
The first reports of the closed military zone emerged at 06:03 Jerusalem, when the IDF announced a 24-hour closure of the western Negev, from 08:00 Sunday to 08:00 Monday. The zone was later specified as covering the area west of Route 34 from Yad Mordechai to Sha'ar HaNegev, and west of Route 232 to Kerem Shalom. At 06:22 Jerusalem, The Zioneer reported that the IDF was preparing to block the march due to concerns participants might breach the security fence. The order was signed by Southern Command chief Maj. Gen. Yaniv Asor, as confirmed in subsequent updates.
The march is organized by the Nachala movement, which advocates for Israeli settlement in Gaza. The closed military zone order is a legal measure to prevent the planned crossing, which the IDF views as a security breach. The military has stated that residents and workers may enter their communities within the zone.
It remains unclear whether the march will proceed as scheduled or how many participants will attempt to reach the border. The IDF has deployed forces in the area and continues to monitor the situation.
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