1,000 Gaza Workers Missing in Israel Since 7 October, Rights Groups Say

Palestinian human rights groups have reported that around 1,000 Palestinian workers from Gaza remain missing in Israel since Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023. According to the groups, prior to the attacks, there were approximately 10,300 Palestinian workers from Gaza present in the occupied Palestinian territories.

The Commission for Detainee's Affairs, the Palestinian Prisoners' Club, and the Addameer Foundation for Prisoner Care and Human Rights stated that 3,200 of these workers were released at the Kerem Shalom crossing in early November 2023, while 6,441 were deported to the West Bank. However, the whereabouts and well-being of the remaining 1,000 workers are unknown, with Israel refusing to provide any information.

The organizations said that Israel has two military camps for Gaza detainees, one near Be'er Sheva and another near al-Quds, where the missing workers are believed to be held. "Israel has refused to disclose the whereabouts or provide information about the well-being of the remaining 1,000 workers," the groups stated.

Why this matters: The disappearance of 1,000 Palestinian workers in Israel raises serious concerns about their safety and the conditions of their detention. This incident highlights the ongoing human rights issues and the plight of Palestinian workers caught in the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Israel launched the hostilities on October 7 after Palestinian resistance groups carried out a surprise retaliatory operation into the occupied territories. Since then, Israel has also been enforcing a near-total siege on the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of at least 34,560 Gazans and the injury of over 77,700 Palestinians, according to Palestinian sources.

The prisoner advocacy groups have called for an independent international investigation into the escalating crimes and what they describe as a "genocidal war" against the population in Gaza. They have also demanded an end to the "unprecedented crimes" against detainees in Israeli jails, including torture, starvation, denial of medical treatment, and other inhumane practices reported by the detained workers.

Key Takeaways

• Around 1,000 Palestinian workers from Gaza remain missing in Israel since Oct 2023 attacks.
• 3,200 workers released, 6,441 deported, but 1,000 whereabouts unknown, Israel refuses info.
• Missing workers believed held in 2 Israeli military camps near Be'er Sheva and al-Quds.
• Disappearance raises concerns about safety and detention conditions of Palestinian workers.
• Prisoner groups call for investigation into "genocidal war" and crimes against detainees.