The UN has voiced concern as Israel Friday began sending back to Gaza thousands of Palestinian workers who had been stuck in Israel since the start of hostilities. The workers may not have homes to return to and face grave dangers from ongoing military clashes in the territory, UN human rights office spokeswoman Elizabeth Throssell told a press conference in Geneva.

“I understand that among these people who are being sent back are those Palestinian workers and hospital patients who had been detained in the aftermath of October 7,” Throssell said.

Hamas gunmen stormed across the Gaza border on October 7, killing 1,400 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping at least 240 others, including children and the elderly, according to Israeli officials.

The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry says more than 9,000 people in the Palestinian enclave, mostly women and children, have been killed by Israel’s retaliatory bombing campaign. Before the war started, some 18,500 Gazans held Israeli work permits, according to COGAT, the Israeli defence body responsible for Palestinian civilian affairs.

“We were very concerned that at least 4,000 Palestinian workers and hospital patients were detained without sufficient legal basis in military facilities after Israel revoked their permits,” Throssell said.

COGAT did not immediately respond to a request for the number of Gazans who were working inside Israel on October 7.

“There are worrying reports that some are being sent back into Gaza, despite the gravity of the situation there,” Throssell said. “We don’t know exactly to where; it probably isn’t clear whether they have got even a home to go to; and it’s an incredibly difficult and dangerous situation.”

AFPTV footage shot early Friday showed groups of workers arriving through the Karem Abu Salem crossing between Israel and southern Gaza, which is normally only used for goods.