By — Wafaa Shurafa, Associated Press Wafaa Shurafa, Associated Press By — Najib Jobain, Associated Press Najib Jobain, Associated Press By — Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/gazas-telecom-services-go-down-for-3rd-time-since-start-of-israel-hamas-war Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Gaza’s telecom services go down for 3rd time since start of Israel-Hamas war World Nov 5, 2023 6:40 PM EDT DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza came under the third total communications outage since the start of the war, while Israel’s military announced late Sunday that it had encircled Gaza City and divided the besieged coastal strip into two. “Today there is north Gaza and south Gaza,” Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told reporters, calling it a “significant stage” in Israel’s war against the Hamas militant group ruling the enclave. Israeli media reported that troops are expected to enter Gaza City within 48 hours. Strong explosions were seen in northern Gaza after nightfall. WATCH: Gaza residents flee south as Israel’s military encircles Gaza City The “collapse in connectivity” across Gaza, reported by internet access advocacy group NetBlocks.org and confirmed by Palestinian telecom company Paltel, made it even more complicated to convey details of the new stage of the military offensive. “We have lost communication with the vast majority of the UNRWA team members,” U.N. Palestinian refugee agency spokesperson Juliette Touma told The Associated Press. The first Gaza outage lasted 36 hours and the second one for a few hours. Earlier Sunday, Israeli warplanes struck two central Gaza refugee camps, killing at least 53 people and wounding dozens, health officials said. Israel said it would press on with its offensive to crush Hamas, despite U.S. appeals for even brief pauses to get aid to desperate civilians. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now By — Wafaa Shurafa, Associated Press Wafaa Shurafa, Associated Press By — Najib Jobain, Associated Press Najib Jobain, Associated Press By — Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press
DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Gaza came under the third total communications outage since the start of the war, while Israel’s military announced late Sunday that it had encircled Gaza City and divided the besieged coastal strip into two. “Today there is north Gaza and south Gaza,” Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari told reporters, calling it a “significant stage” in Israel’s war against the Hamas militant group ruling the enclave. Israeli media reported that troops are expected to enter Gaza City within 48 hours. Strong explosions were seen in northern Gaza after nightfall. WATCH: Gaza residents flee south as Israel’s military encircles Gaza City The “collapse in connectivity” across Gaza, reported by internet access advocacy group NetBlocks.org and confirmed by Palestinian telecom company Paltel, made it even more complicated to convey details of the new stage of the military offensive. “We have lost communication with the vast majority of the UNRWA team members,” U.N. Palestinian refugee agency spokesperson Juliette Touma told The Associated Press. The first Gaza outage lasted 36 hours and the second one for a few hours. Earlier Sunday, Israeli warplanes struck two central Gaza refugee camps, killing at least 53 people and wounding dozens, health officials said. Israel said it would press on with its offensive to crush Hamas, despite U.S. appeals for even brief pauses to get aid to desperate civilians. We're not going anywhere. Stand up for truly independent, trusted news that you can count on! Donate now