Thousands of Palestinian workers deported from Israel return to Gaza

Thousands of Palestinian workers have returned to the Gaza Strip after being deported by Israeli authorities.

On Thursday, the Israeli security cabinet approved their return to Gaza, and announced severing of all contacts with Gaza.

"Israel is severing all contact with Gaza. There will be no more Palestinian workers from Gaza," said a statement following the security cabinet meeting.

According to a security source in the Karm Abu Salem commercial crossing, also known as Karem Shalom, the workers walked some 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) to enter Gaza after being left at the crossing by Israeli forces.

The source, who spoke to Anadolu on condition of anonymity, said that the workers arrived in the city of Rafah and the necessary assistance were provided to them from the government and relief agencies, especially since the Israeli authorities confiscated all their money and mobile phones.

Thousands of Palestinian workers from Gaza were in Israel on Oct. 7 when the conflict broke out following Hamas' surprise attack against Israel.

The Israeli army has widened its air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip, which has been under relentless airstrikes since the surprise offensive by Hamas on Oct. 7.

Nearly 10,800 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 9,227 Palestinians and more than 1,538 Israelis.