Due to phone and internet services being cut off in the besieged Gaza Strip, media and humanitarian organizations have raised concerns that this communication blackout could expose the region to potential Israeli war crimes.
According to the Palestinian telecom company Jawwal, Israeli airstrikes have destroyed all remaining international communication routes connecting Gaza to the outside world.
The Gaza Strip, after enduring intense Israeli bombings, has been isolated from the rest of the world for two days. Reports suggest that Israeli forces made small ground incursions during the night.
Nida Ibrahim, reporting from Ramallah in the occupied West Bank, noted that there is very limited information coming out of Gaza. The blackout leaves Palestinians outside of Gaza unable to check on their friends and loved ones or obtain vital information.
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Amnesty International mentioned that it had lost contact with its Gaza colleagues, making it harder to document human rights abuses. This blackout could hinder the collection of crucial information on violations and war crimes against Palestinian civilians.
Deborah Brown from Human Rights Watch expressed concerns that the blackout could provide cover for mass atrocities and contribute to impunity for human rights violations.
Cindy McCain, executive director of the UN World Food Programme, noted the loss of contact with their Gaza teams, highlighting the silence.
Before a possible full-scale ground attack, Israel intensified its bombardment of Gaza, leading to the collapse of communication services.
WHO’s director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, stated that the darkness was making it impossible for ambulances to reach the injured, expressing worry about the safety of their staff and health facilities.
The Committee to Protect Journalists warned about the serious consequences of the news blackout, including the spread of false information.
Because of this communication cutoff, the exact number of casualties and details of ground combat may not be immediately known. Only a few satellite phones remained operational.
While there have been occasional updates via satellite from Al Jazeera correspondents in Gaza, direct communication remains hindered due to the almost complete communications blackout.
Reporting from Gaza City and Khan Younis, Al Jazeera correspondents described the intensity of Israeli airstrikes and the fear and isolation experienced by the people in Gaza.
Israel launched numerous airstrikes on Gaza in response to Hamas’s attacks on October 7, with significant casualties on both sides, but exact numbers have been hard to confirm due to communication difficulties.
