Israel: Internet and phone services have been restored in Gaza after a communication blackout, which humanitarian organizations had cautioned might be exploited to conceal war crimes.
Paltel Group, the provider of communication services in Gaza, announced that landline, mobile, and internet services were slowly coming back online after disruptions caused by ongoing aggression.
“Our technical teams are diligently addressing the damage to the internal network infrastructure under challenging conditions. May God protect you all and our Country,” the telecom said in a statement.
Gaza experienced an almost complete communication blackout lasting nearly 36 hours, which resulted from Israeli air attacks on October 27, 2023. Palestinian telecom providers reported that these attacks damaged communication lines and towers.
After endless weeks of a complete Israeli blockade, Palestinians in Gaza felt the pressure intensifying. Social media had served as a vital lifeline for Palestinians seeking news and sharing their distressing situation with the world. However, even that connection was severed.
Many experienced feelings of despair and fear as the Israeli military initiated a new phase in its response to a violent cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which included the entry of troops into Gaza.
Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, among other rights organisations, had cautioned that the communication outage in the enclave was hindering the documentation of war crimes and other violations.
Mr. Elon Musk announced on October 28, 2023, that he would provide his Starlink satellite internet service to “internationally recognised aid organisations” in Gaza, a move that led to protests from Israel.
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