In a disturbing and concerning turn of events, internet and phone networks across Gaza Strip were cut off for the second time in less than a week.
The Palestine Telecommunications Company (Paltel) announced the blackout, saying that it was sorry to inform Gaza’s “good people” of the complete shutdown of communication and internet services.
Paltel’s statement was soon confirmed by global network monitor Netblocks, who revealed that Gaza was in the midst of another internet blackout with high impact to the last remaining major operator, Paltel.
This latest blackout has left most Gaza residents disconnected from the world and unable to communicate with friends and family outside of the besieged territory.
According to an AFP journalist based in Gaza, his phone still had signal as he was using an international SIM card, but that was not the case for most residents.
Only people with Israeli or Egyptian phone lines could still use their mobiles in the border town of Rafah.
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Last week, the internet and phone networks were cut off, but they were later restored at the weekend.
The government of the Palestinian militant group Hamas had accused Israel of causing the shutdown in order to “perpetrate massacres” in the Gaza Strip.
Palestinian telecom provider Jawwal had also blamed Israel’s “heavy bombardment” of the territory for the blackout.
Gaza has been experiencing fierce battles between Israeli ground troops and militants lately as Israel has pressed on with its mission to “crush” Hamas after it went on a rampage in southern communities, killing 1,400 people, mostly civilians.
In retaliation, Israel has hit back with a relentless air and artillery bombardment that has resulted in the death of more than 8,500 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women or children, according to the health ministry in Hamas-controlled.
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