The telecommunications infrastructure in Gaza has experienced a complete collapse due to the intense military bombardment by Israel and its expanding ground operations. This has left over 2 million Palestinians in Gaza without reliable means of communication with the outside world.
Jawwal, the Palestinian telecom company that provides mobile phone service in Gaza, stated that the Israeli military airstrikes and artillery shelling have severed all communication services as of October 27. NetBlocks, a nonprofit organization that monitors internet disruptions, has shared network data showing a significant decline in connectivity to the Gaza Strip, particularly affecting Paltel, the parent company of Jawwal.
Reports indicate that the destruction of Palestinian telecommunications infrastructure by Israeli airstrikes over the past few weeks has already led to disrupted internet and phone service. Now, the people of Gaza are facing a nearly total loss of communication. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society and The New York Times have both reported difficulties in reaching individuals in Gaza via phone, and the humanitarian organization has lost contact with its operations room and teams due to the Israeli authorities cutting off all landline, cellular, and internet communications.
Unfortunately, this communication blackout only exacerbates the already dire conditions faced by the Palestinians in Gaza. With limited access to drinking water, food, and medical supplies, the 2 million Palestinians, including nearly half of them children, are also grappling with an electricity cutoff that disrupts telecommunications operations. Some individuals have resorted to charging their phones using car batteries.
The loss of communication and information blockade in Gaza has severe consequences for the civilian population. It not only hampers their ability to access necessary resources for survival but also leads to increased disinformation and misinformation in pro-Palestinian sentiment communities. Without reliable video and communication footage coming out of Gaza, it becomes harder to discern factual information and news reporting in this conflict.
Palestinians in Gaza have long faced challenges in accessing advanced mobile phone technology, as Israeli authorities have prevented the deployment of 4G and 5G cellular network services. The recent Israeli military strikes on Gaza were initiated after Hamas militants, the military arm of the Hamas organization controlling Gaza, launched a cross-border attack into Israel on October 7. The Israeli bombardment of Gaza has resulted in a significant loss of life, with over 7,000 Palestinians reported killed by the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza, along with a greater number of wounded.
Data:
- Telecommunications services in Gaza have collapsed under Israel’s bombardment and ground operations, leaving over 2 million Palestinians without reliable communication.
- Jawwal, the Palestinian telecom company, announced that all communication services were cut off due to Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling.
- NetBlocks, a nonprofit organization monitoring internet disruptions, reported a collapse in connectivity to the Gaza Strip, with significant impact on Paltel, the parent company of Jawwal.
- Palestinian organizations, including the Palestinian Red Crescent Society and The New York Times, have struggled to maintain communication with Gaza due to the Israeli authorities’ cut off of landline, cellular, and internet communications.
- The blackout impedes access to vital resources, such as drinking water, food, and medical supplies, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
- The loss of communication may lead to an increase in disinformation within pro-Palestinian sentiment communities, hindering accurate reporting of the situation.
- Gaza has long faced limitations in accessing advanced mobile phone technology, as Israeli authorities have prevented the deployment of 4G and 5G cellular network services.
- The Israeli airstrikes on Gaza were initiated after a cross-border attack by Hamas militants, resulting in a significant loss of life among Palestinians in Gaza.
