GAZA – Internet and fixed-line communication services in central and southern Gaza were disrupted on Tuesday following damage to the territory’s main fibre optic cable, according to the Palestinian Authority. The PA squarely blamed the ongoing Israeli military operations for the outage, which has further isolated parts of the besieged enclave already reeling from war.
The Palestinian Ministry of Telecommunications issued a statement confirming the widespread service disruption. “There has been a disruption in fixed internet services and landline communications in central and southern areas of the Gaza Strip due to a new outage on one of the main routes as a result of the ongoing Israeli aggression,” it said.
The blackout adds another layer of difficulty for civilians, journalists, and humanitarian workers operating in the area, many of whom rely on online access to coordinate relief, communicate with family, or report events on the ground.
Telecom Official Confirms Fibre Optic Damage
Laith Daraghmeh, CEO of the Palestinian Telecommunications Regulatory Authority, spoke to AFP on Tuesday afternoon and confirmed the incident. “One hour ago, we got a new fibre cut, that’s why right now we have no connectivity in south and central Gaza,” he said.
The fibre optic infrastructure in Gaza has repeatedly come under strain during the ongoing conflict, either from airstrikes, ground operations, or infrastructure collapses linked to the fighting. Tuesday’s cable cut marked yet another blow to what little digital lifeline remains for people in the region.
Daraghmeh did not specify how long it would take to restore services, and technical teams have limited access due to ongoing hostilities and safety concerns.
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Digital Blackouts Raise Alarm
This is not the first time Gaza has experienced communications blackouts during the war. Human rights groups and international media watchdogs have repeatedly raised concerns over internet shutdowns, noting they hinder independent reporting and emergency response efforts.
Access Now, a global digital rights group, has said repeated outages “block the world from seeing the reality on the ground.” The organization, along with others, has urged all parties to respect telecommunications infrastructure and allow repairs during humanitarian pauses.
Israeli officials have not yet responded to the Palestinian Authority’s statement, and the Israeli military has previously said it does not intentionally target civilian infrastructure. However, repeated damage to Gaza’s limited fibre network and other communications services has sparked growing criticism from rights groups and international observers.
As Gaza’s humanitarian situation continues to worsen, the loss of internet access adds to the immense challenges faced by its nearly 2.3 million residents—many of whom have been displaced and are struggling to access basic needs like water, food, and medical care.
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