Israeli Tanks Spread To Gaza City, Internet Connection Is Cut Off

UNSPLASH/Amn Saleh ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Israeli tanks are visible in two Gaza City areas which are gateways to the city center. Currently, internet and telephone connections are cut off across the Gaza Strip, a sign of ground operations is likely to be upgraded soon.

Israeli forces have taken control of the eastern suburbs of Gaza City and in recent days have hit the Sheikh Radwan and Tel Al-Hawa regions, from which they will be positioned to advance to the central and western regions where most residents take refuge.

"Dismissal of internet and telephone services is a bad sign. It's always a bad sign that something very brutal is going to happen," said Ismail, a local resident.

He uses e-SIM to connect his phone, a dangerous method because he has to find a higher place to receive the signal.

"The situation around me is very concerning. People in tents and homes are very worried about their safety. Many are unable to leave, but many do not want to," he said.

It was reported that 14 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks or shots in the Gaza Strip on Thursday, including nine in Gaza City, local health authorities said.

Palestinian Telecommunications company said its services were cut off "due to ongoing aggression and targeting key network routes".

In a recent statement to the media, the Israeli military said its forces were expanding their operations in Gaza City, dismantling what it called "terror infrastructure" and "elimination of terrorists".

The statement did not mention telecommunications blackouts or provide details of tank movements.

The Israeli military also continues to operate in Khan Younis and Rafah in the south.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have left Gaza City since Israel announced on August 10, they intend to take control.

But there are still many who stay, either in houses that are destroyed between the ruins or in emergency tents.

The military has deployed leaflets urging residents to evacuate to a designated "humanitarian zone" south of the region.

But the conditions there are very bad, with inadequate food, medicine, and space and shelter.

Israel says it wants to destroy the Palestinian militant group Hamas in its stronghold and release the last hostages still detained in Gaza, but its latest major attack after two years of devastating war has drawn international condemnation.