Israel-Hamas war: Thousands of Palestinian workers stranded in Israel sent back to Gaza; UN says 'deeply concerned'
Guardian reporter in Rafah which is on the southern end of the strip, witnessed many men from all ages entering Gaza through the Karem Abu Salem crossing between Israel and southern Gaza, which is normally only used for goods. As per the Guardian report, these men walked around 2 kilometres from the Israeli side of the border and had no phones, money, or even identity cards. Over 3,200 people were allegedly sent back via the joint Israeli-Egyptian checkpoint, according to a report published by the independent Egyptian news outlet Mada Masr.
"Israel is severing all contact with Gaza. There will be no more Palestinian workers from Gaza," a statement from the Israeli security council stated as reported by AFP. "Those workers from Gaza who were in Israel on the day of the outbreak of the war will be returned to Gaza," it added, without specifying how many people would be sent back.
Before the war started, some 18,500 Gazans were holding Israeli work permits, according to figures provided by COGAT, the Israeli defence body responsible for Palestinian civilian affairs. However, how many Gazans were working inside Israel on October 7 is not known. Following the onslaught, Israel struck back hard with a relentless bombing campaign that has killed more than 9,000 people, mainly civilians, according to the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza.
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