Internet, communications cut across Gaza as bombing intensify
UN chief says Gaza faces 'avalanche of human suffering'; WHO says it urgently needs $80 mn for humanitarian needs in West Bank, Gaza
Published: 06:10 PM,Oct 27,2023 | EDITED : 10:10 PM,Oct 27,2023
This image grab from an AFP TV footage shows balls of fire rising above Gaza City during an Israeli strike on October 27, 2023, as battles between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement continue. (Photo by AFP)
Gaza: The Gaza government said on Israel 'cut communications and most of the internet' across the Gaza Strip on Friday.
The government's media office accused Israel of taking the measure 'to perpetrate massacres with bloody retaliatory strikes from the air, land and sea,' as heavy strikes hit northern Gaza.
AFP journalists in Gaza confirmed they were only able to communicate in limited areas where they could connect to Israeli networks across the border.
Palestinian telecoms provider Jawwal announced 'the total cut of all communication services and internet' in the territory.
'The heavy bombardment in the last hour destroyed all remaining international routes connecting Gaza to the outside world,' Jawwal wrote on its Facebook page.
Global internet monitor NetBlocks reported 'a collapse in connectivity in the Gaza Strip with high impact to Paltel,' Jawwal's owner, citing live network data.
'The company is the last remaining major operator to supply service as connectivity declines amid ongoing fighting with Israel,' NetBlocks wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
The United Nations chief warned on Friday that Gaza faces 'an unprecedented avalanche of human suffering' due to lack of food, water and power during Israeli bombing in response to the Hamas attack.
'I repeat my call for a humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the delivery of life-saving supplies,' UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement.
'Misery is growing by the minute. Without a fundamental change, the people of Gaza will face an unprecedented avalanche of human suffering.'
Before the war, about 500 trucks a day rolled into sealed-off Gaza to bring in supplies but in recent days the average is down to only 12, which enter from the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, he said.
Guterres said the need is now 'far greater than at any time before.'
Without a change to how aid goes in, the United Nations will not be able to keep delivering assistance, the UN chief said.
'The verification system for the movement of goods through the Rafah crossing must be adjusted to allow many more trucks to enter Gaza without delay,' Guterres said.
'The humanitarian system in Gaza is facing a total collapse with unimaginable consequences for more than two million civilians,' he warned.
'As the bombing intensifies, needs are growing ever more critical and colossal.'
The World Health Organization said on Friday that it urgently needs an estimated $80 million to respond to humanitarian needs in the West Bank and Gaza and to undertake contingency planning for Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan through the end of 2023. — Reuters and AFP
The government's media office accused Israel of taking the measure 'to perpetrate massacres with bloody retaliatory strikes from the air, land and sea,' as heavy strikes hit northern Gaza.
AFP journalists in Gaza confirmed they were only able to communicate in limited areas where they could connect to Israeli networks across the border.
Palestinian telecoms provider Jawwal announced 'the total cut of all communication services and internet' in the territory.
'The heavy bombardment in the last hour destroyed all remaining international routes connecting Gaza to the outside world,' Jawwal wrote on its Facebook page.
Global internet monitor NetBlocks reported 'a collapse in connectivity in the Gaza Strip with high impact to Paltel,' Jawwal's owner, citing live network data.
'The company is the last remaining major operator to supply service as connectivity declines amid ongoing fighting with Israel,' NetBlocks wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
The United Nations chief warned on Friday that Gaza faces 'an unprecedented avalanche of human suffering' due to lack of food, water and power during Israeli bombing in response to the Hamas attack.
'I repeat my call for a humanitarian ceasefire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the delivery of life-saving supplies,' UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in a statement.
'Misery is growing by the minute. Without a fundamental change, the people of Gaza will face an unprecedented avalanche of human suffering.'
Before the war, about 500 trucks a day rolled into sealed-off Gaza to bring in supplies but in recent days the average is down to only 12, which enter from the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, he said.
Guterres said the need is now 'far greater than at any time before.'
Without a change to how aid goes in, the United Nations will not be able to keep delivering assistance, the UN chief said.
'The verification system for the movement of goods through the Rafah crossing must be adjusted to allow many more trucks to enter Gaza without delay,' Guterres said.
'The humanitarian system in Gaza is facing a total collapse with unimaginable consequences for more than two million civilians,' he warned.
'As the bombing intensifies, needs are growing ever more critical and colossal.'
The World Health Organization said on Friday that it urgently needs an estimated $80 million to respond to humanitarian needs in the West Bank and Gaza and to undertake contingency planning for Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan through the end of 2023. — Reuters and AFP