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Israel Closes Key Gaza evacuation Route, Appoints New Shin Bet Chief Amid Hostage Family Protests
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Published October 1, 2025, 9:37 AM
Key Developments
The Israeli military announced the closure of Al-rashid Street, the last remaining route for residents of southern Gaza to access the north, as its offensive on gaza City continues. Simultaneously, israel’s government confirmed the appointment of maj. Gen.David Zini as the new head of the Shin bet domestic security agency, a decision met with significant opposition from families of hostages held in Gaza.
Closure of Al-Rashid Street
The Israeli military stated that Al-Rashid Street would be closed to traffic from the southern sector at 12:00 local time (9:00 AM Irish time) on October 1, 2025. Avichay Adraee, the military’s Arabic-language spokesman, announced the closure on X (formerly Twitter).
Despite the closure, the military indicated that movement southward would be permitted for those unable to evacuate Gaza City, with “free movement southward without inspection” currently allowed. This suggests a continued effort to encourage civilian evacuation, though the limited evacuation routes raise concerns about the feasibility and safety of such movements.
Controversial Shin Bet Appointment
Prime Minister Benjamin netanyahu’s office announced the unanimous government approval of Maj. Gen. David Zini as the new head of the Shin Bet for a five-year term. RTÉ News reported on the appointment and the ensuing backlash.
the appointment has sparked anger from families of hostages held in Gaza due to Zini’s reported opposition to hostage release negotiations and his characterization of the conflict with Palestinian militants as “an eternal war.” These statements, as reported by RTÉ News, have fueled concerns that his leadership may not prioritize the safe return of the captives.
Zini, a member of the far-right Religious Zionist movement, has also faced scrutiny for what critics describe as a ”messianic” outlook, a label he reportedly embraced in a June speech. this perspective is linked to the settler movement and raises questions about his impartiality in dealing with the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
