JERUSALEM (AP) – The Israeli government has forcibly deported thousands of Palestinian workers from Gaza back to the war-torn strip after they were expelled from Israel, as reported by The Guardian on Friday, November 3, 2023.
This action comes amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began on October 7, 2023.
The situation has drawn concern from various quarters, including the United Nations Human Rights Office.
According to reports, around 3,200 Palestinian workers were sent back to Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing, which is controlled by both Israel and Egypt.
The deportations have been characterized by a lack of communication and dire circumstances for the displaced individuals.
The UN Human Rights Office expressed deep concern over these deportations. Elizabeth Throssell, a spokesperson for the office, stated:
“They are being sent back, we don’t know exactly to where, [and whether they] even have a home to go to. It is an incredibly dangerous situation.”
Before the recent conflict, approximately 18,500 married men over the age of 25 from Gaza had permission to enter Israel for work, particularly in agriculture and construction.
This policy aimed to alleviate the dire economic conditions in Gaza and create an economic lifeline that would be mutually beneficial for both sides.
However, after the outbreak of the conflict in October, many of these workers were detained by Israeli authorities under the principle of administrative detention, which allows the arrest of suspects without charge or access to the evidence against them.
This practice has led to allegations of mistreatment and torture of the detained workers.
The International Committee of the Red Cross reported that it was repeatedly denied access to the arrested workers, who were categorized as “enemy non-combatants” by Israeli authorities.
Amidst the conflict, several thousand Palestinian workers reportedly sought refuge in the occupied West Bank, fearing for their safety.
These individuals faced the constant threat of Israeli police and soldiers arresting them as suspected terrorists, which pushed them into hiding in fear of their lives.
The situation has left many of these workers stranded in the West Bank, living in temporary shelters and makeshift refugee camps.
The fear of not knowing the fate of their families back in Gaza, coupled with the constant threat of arrest, has created a climate of uncertainty and distress.
The recent deportations mark a major shift in Israeli policy. On Thursday, November 2, Israel’s security cabinet announced the cessation of all contact with Gaza.
The statement read, “There will be no more Palestinian workers from Gaza,” effectively terminating a policy that had provided livelihoods to thousands and contributed to the economic well-being of Gaza.
Before the conflict, these workers played a crucial role in supporting their families and the Gaza Strip’s economy.
With unemployment rates hovering around 45%, these workers were a lifeline for their families.
They were also responsible for clearing debts from failed businesses and facilitating the reconstruction efforts after previous conflicts.
Many families in Gaza have now lost their primary source of income as these workers remain stranded in the West Bank.
The conflict has caused immeasurable destruction and suffering, with more than 9,000 Palestinians killed during the Israeli bombing campaign and ground invasion.
While the conflict has been devastating, it has also left these Palestinian workers facing an uncertain future.
They live in constant fear, unable to return to their homes in Gaza, and unwilling to work in Israel due to the threat of arrest and detainment.
Ahmad, a 31-year-old cook in a Tel Aviv shawarma restaurant, decided it was too risky to go to work after hearing the news of arrests of Gazans.
Hiding in a shared basement apartment with six fellow laborers, Ahmad left to buy food, only to return to find his apartment raided and his flatmates arrested by the police.
In a bid for safety, he joined other Gazan workers in Tel Aviv and rented a bus to escape to the West Bank.
Although the Palestinian Authority provided some support, the men find little protection from Israeli raids.
Ahmad, despite knowing his wife and sons are safe, is haunted by nightmares of the situation.
Amid the chaos of the conflict, these workers have clung to any shred of news from their families, anxiously awaiting text messages or phone calls that might provide updates on their loved ones’ well-being.
For the families left behind in Gaza, the situation is dire. The constant threat of bombings and the scarcity of resources have left them in a state of distress.
Abu Mahmoud, a Gazan worker stranded in the West Bank, expressed his concerns about the safety of his wife and children back in Gaza. He described the daily bombings and their dire living conditions.
Sayef Olehe, a 30-year-old butcher, left his job with fears of both his family’s safety and potential arrest. He expressed concern about the fate of those who had been jailed.
In a poignant phone call, his three-year-old daughter asked him why he worked in Israel, given the ongoing conflict. Olehe concluded that he would never work in Israel again.
Despite the chaos, many of these workers express a deep desire to be reunited with their families. However, the blockade of Gaza has made it nearly impossible for them to return.
The Israeli government’s decision to deport these Palestinian workers adds another layer of complexity to an already dire situation.
With no clear path forward, these workers and their families face an uncertain and challenging future.
