📵 Gaza City went offline as Israeli tanks pressed two gateways toward the center on Thursday, cutting internet and phone lines for hours. The move hints at a potential escalation in ground operations.
Israel now controls Gaza City's eastern suburbs and has been pounding the Sheikh Radwan and Tel Al-Hawa areas. From there, forces are positioned to push into central and western districts, where most residents are sheltering.
Meanwhile, Israel also struck Hezbollah military targets in southern Lebanon. At the Allenby Crossing between the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Jordan, two Israelis were killed in what the military called a terror attack.
Army spokesperson Nadav Shoshani said troops have operated around Gaza City’s edge for weeks, but on Monday night large numbers moved toward the inner city.
The Palestinian Telecommunications Company blamed the cut on ongoing aggression and strikes on main network routes. By nightfall, fixed internet and landlines were briefly reactivated as some residents saw services coming back.
“The disconnection of internet and phone services is a bad omen. It has always been a bad signal something very brutal is going to happen,” said Ismail, who gave only his first name.
Hundreds of thousands have fled since August 10, but many remain in ruined homes or makeshift camps. Leaflets urged people south to a “humanitarian zone,” but aid groups warn of dire shortages of food, medicine, shelter and hygiene.
The World Health Organization warned that Gaza hospitals face critical blood shortages that could halt services in days. In the past 24 hours, four more Palestinians, including a child, died of malnutrition, bringing that toll to at least 435, including 147 children, since the war began.
Israel argues hunger is exaggerated and blames Hamas for continuing the conflict, saying it could end if Hamas surrendered and disbanded. Hamas, in turn, says it won’t disarm until a Palestinian state is established.
Stay tuned for updates 💡
Reference(s):
Israeli operations cause Gaza telecom blackout, strikes in Lebanon
cgtn.com
