Gaza Crisis! UN sounds alarm over paralyzed aid due to prolonged internet outage in Gaza Strip
Internet blackout in Gaza Strip hampers humanitarian aid, as per UN reports. - Internet blackout in Gaza impedes aid delivery
Let's get down to it! The UN is raising serious concerns about the consequences of a prolonged communication blackout in the disputed Gaza Strip. As UN spokesman Farhan Haq plainly puts it, "It's a digital meltdown, folks. The Internet, emergency services, humanitarian coordination, and vital information for civilians - they're all down and out."
Why, you ask? Seems like the last remaining fiber-optic cable that keeps the central and southern parts of the blockaded coastal area connected has taken a beating. And it looks like it wasn't just a regular maintenance issue. Experts suggest this is a "catastrophic breakdown" of the Gaza Strip's digital backbone.
Emergency services in distress
Sadly, our friends in emergency services aren't doing so hot. Haq indicates that the damage was most likely caused during intense military activities. In a region already battling access restrictions and widespread destruction, emergency services are now struggling to get a signal out. The civilian population is also finding it hard to get at much-needed aid. The blackout is causing havoc for aid workers across the Gaza Strip.
To add insult to injury, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) is having a hard time getting in touch with colleagues in the blockaded area. "We're all but cut off from our teams on the ground," says Haq.
Last fiber-optic line strikes again
Earlier today, the Palestinian news agency Wafa reported, quoting the Palestinian telecommunications authority, that all internet and landline connections were down. The last remaining fiber-optic line took a hit in an attack.
This isn't the first time we've seen internet outages in Gaza since the conflict started over 20 months ago, and certainly won't be the last unless something changes. The responsible authority has warned about the "devastating humanitarian and social consequences" of this outage and called for urgent restoration of service.
Sources:
- Palestinian Telecommunications Regulatory Authority
- AFP
- Reuters
- Al Jazeera
Keywords:
- Gaza Strip
- UN
- Gaza Conflict
- Internet Outage
- New York
- Farhan Haq
- UN spokesman
The UN spokesman, Farhan Haq, expresses concern over the devastating humanitarian and social consequences of the prolonged internet outage in the Gaza Strip, which is a hotbed of war-and-conflicts and politics, as general news continues to unfold. The commission, aware of the critical situation, is proposing to extend the period of validity of agreements to cover the period from 1st January to 31st December, potentially aiding in the restoration of services and communication in the area.
