CNN — Israel’s Security Cabinet announced on Thursday that it will be returning Gazans who were working in Israel back to the Palestinian enclave. The Cabinet also stated that it would sever contact with Gaza. Prior to the terror attacks and kidnapping rampage by Hamas on October 7, approximately 18,000 Gazans held permits to enter Israel for work, where they could earn significantly higher wages than in Gaza. The government press office stated, “Israel is severing all contact with Gaza. There will be no more Palestinian workers from Gaza. Those workers from Gaza who were in Israel on the day the war broke out will be returned to Gaza.” The statement did not provide specifics on how or when the workers will be returned, as Gaza is currently an active warzone facing daily bombardment. The Cabinet also announced that it would deduct funds, including those from the Palestinian Authority, intended for Gaza.