Blackout Cuts Off Bombarded Gazans from the World and Each Other, Reports Reuters

Telephone and Internet Blackout Leaves Gaza Isolated Amid Conflict

On Saturday, a significant telephone and internet blackout left individuals in the Gaza Strip cut off from the outside world and from one another, making it nearly impossible to reach loved ones, ambulances, or colleagues as Israel expanded its air and ground assaults.

International humanitarian organizations reported that the blackout, which commenced on Friday evening, was exacerbating an already critical situation by hindering life-saving operations and preventing contact with on-ground staff.

Three weeks into the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has garnered extensive global media attention, the blackout significantly curtailed the flow of information, images, and videos from within Gaza. This reduction has made it increasingly challenging to grasp the full extent and impact of the latest military actions.

"My brain cannot fathom that things can get any worse. And here we are on Day 21, we have lost service. If you are dying, you can’t ring up the ambulance service. If you are struck, whatever happens, you can’t communicate with anyone," said Plestia Alaqad, a freelance journalist based in Gaza.

In a video recorded on Friday night and shared on Saturday, Alaqad explained that she was one of the few Gazans who managed to access the internet. "I’m supposed to tell the world what is going on; well, I am in Gaza, and I don’t know what is going on. There is no internet, no network, no service, no fuel to move around by car, no electricity, nothing," she said, mixing English and Arabic.

Israel’s Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced continued military operations in the Gaza Strip, targeting Hamas infrastructure and its leaders. "We attacked above ground and underground, we attacked terror operatives of all ranks, everywhere," he stated in a video address.

Previously, Israel had conducted only brief incursions in Gaza during the ongoing bombardment, aiming to eliminate Hamas militants, who they claim were responsible for the deaths of 1,400 Israelis, mostly civilians, on October 7.

According to the Palestinian health ministry, as of Saturday, 7,650 individuals had died, and 19,450 were injured in Gaza since the start of the bombardment. It reported that 70% of the deceased were women, children, or the elderly.

Multiple humanitarian agencies, including the World Food Programme and the World Health Organization, noted that they had lost contact with their staff in Gaza. Several independent aid organizations suggested that Israel had intentionally severed communications to the region. The Israeli military did not respond to requests for comments regarding the blackout, and independent verification of its cause remains unachieved.

"The Israeli authorities have cut off landline, cellular, and internet communications, severely affecting our essential emergency medical services," stated the Palestine Red Crescent Society.

The lack of reliable communication for media organizations further emphasized concerns about the safety of their teams and complicated efforts to report accurately on the situation. The Israeli military has claimed it does not intentionally target journalists but cannot ensure their safety in Gaza.

"The shelling was intense everywhere in the strip," one reporter from a media organization based in Gaza communicated in one of the few messages that could be sent on Saturday.

Gaza-based freelance photographer Mohammed Zaanoun, speaking from within the region in a video posted on social media, mentioned, "I have driven a long way to reach the border with Egypt to be able to send you this message and tell you that Gaza has been disconnected from the world."