Telecommunication companies in Gaza have announced a complete blackout of their services on Thursday (November 17) after weeks of running their operations on fumes as fuel supplies dwindle.
Jawwal and Paltel have announced that all of their telecom services in the Gaza Strip have gone out of service because the energy sources fuelling the networks have been "depleted," citing the prevention of fuel into Gaza as a reason for the blackout.
"We regret to announce that all telecom services in Gaza Strip have gone out of service as all energy sources sustaining the network have been depleted, and fuel was not allowed in," both companies stated in their respective statements on X, formerly Twitter.
The Hill reported that this was the latest in a series of blackouts in Gaza since the war between Israel and Hamas began.
Warnings of Comms Blackout Not Heeded?
Human Rights Watch also warned on Wednesday (November 16) that the decision to bar fuel deliveries would lead to a complete blackout of telecommunication, which the group said could undermine aid efforts in Gaza.
This was despite a delivery of over 20,000 liters of fuel that arrived in the strip also on Wednesday from Egypt.
"Intentional, blanket shutdowns or restrictions on access to the internet violate multiple rights and can be deadly during crises," Human Rights Watch senior technology researcher Deborah Brown said in a statement.
"Prolonged and complete communications blackouts, like those experienced in Gaza, can provide cover for atrocities and breed impunity while further undermining humanitarian efforts and putting lives at risk."
Related Article : First Fuel Convoy Enters Gaza, but UN Says Supply Not Enough
