Tel Aviv, November 3 – The Israeli Cabinet has made the decision to cease all contacts with the Gaza Strip, including financial support through the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and the banning of Gaza residents from working in the Jewish state, according to the Prime Minister’s office. “Israel is cutting all contacts with the Gaza Strip. There will no longer be Palestinian workers from Gaza in Israel, and those who were in Israel at the start of the war will be returned to Gaza,” the office added. The Israeli Cabinet has also decided to deduct all funds intended for the Gaza Strip from the monetary transfers to the Palestinian Authority, “in addition to the existing deduction of funds paid to terrorists and their families in accordance with the law.” The Palestinian-Israeli conflict is rooted in the territorial interests of both sides and has been a source of tension and clashes in the Middle East for decades. The UN decision, with active involvement from the USSR in 1947, determined the creation of two states – Palestine and Israel, but only the latter was established. A new phase of confrontation began after an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip on the morning of October 7. Following the massive shelling, Hamas fighters infiltrated the border areas in the south of the Jewish state, opening fire on both military and civilian targets and taking hostages. The military wing of the movement, “Al-Qassam Brigades,” announced the launch of the “Al-Aqsa Flood” operation. In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched the “Iron Swords” operation in the Gaza Strip. Over the course of several days after the attack, Israeli forces took control of all border towns and began conducting airstrikes on various targets, including civilian ones, within the enclave. In addition, Israel declared a complete blockade of Gaza, suspending the supply of water, food, electricity, medicine, and fuel. The number of casualties in the Gaza Strip has exceeded 8,800, with over 22,000 wounded. More than 1,400 people, including 20 Russians, have been killed in Israel. Furthermore, according to various estimates, around 240 people may be held captive by Hamas.
