Communications blackout in Gaza, Isreal-Hamas war

GAZA STRIP – Gaza experienced a near-total communications blackout over the weekend following Israel’s continued airstrikes and intensified ground operations that started on Friday, October 27.

Ten more staff from the United Nations were killed in the last 72 hours in Gaza, bringing the total to 63 UN workers who have been killed in Gaza as the conflicts enter the fourth week.

While Gaza’s internet and telephone access has been slowly restored, the Israeli Military expanded its operations to the “second phase” on Monday, with armored tanks entering Gaza. The near-constant bombardment has razed the infrastructure in many areas of Gaza.

Many netizens from the West called on Elon Musk to provide Starlink satellite services for humanitarian aid organizations in Gaza to save the lives of civilians. Israel expressed strong opposition to such assistance, even as it is nearly impossible to use Starlink in Gaza. There is no fuel available for the Starlink terminal, and the installed equipment could be easily damaged in Gaza, due to the Israeli bombardment and blockade.

The death toll in Gaza has passed 8,000, and an estimated 1,700 remain trapped under the rubble, the Palestinian Ministry of Health reported. In Israel, more than 1,400 people have lost their lives, and more than 200 are still being held hostage by Hamas.