Human Rights Watch: Gaza Telecomm Blackout \ Gaza Hospitals & Patients At Risk

From: Human Rights Watch:

Telecommunications Blackout in Gaza amid Israeli Attacks

Widespread Internet Cutoff Risks Giving Cover for Atrocities

Widespread phone and internet outages occurred in Gaza on October 27, 2023, amid a concerted Israeli bombardment, almost entirely cutting off the 2.2 million residents from the outside world. Palestinian internet providers, including Paltel, the largest telecommunications service in Gaza, stated on social media that “the continuous intensive [Israeli] bombardment … caused cutting off all remaining fiber routes that connect Gaza to the rest of the world.” Telecommunications services in Gaza had already been severely degraded since the start of the hostilities on October 7. 

The following quote may be attributed to Deborah Brown, senior technology and human rights researcher at Human Rights Watch:  

“The near-total telecommunications blackout in Gaza cuts off 2.2 million people’s access to the outside world and prevents people inside Gaza from communicating with loved ones and accessing life-saving medical and other essential services. This information blackout risks providing cover for mass atrocities and contributing to impunity for human rights violations.”

Israel/Palestine: Gaza Hospitals, Patients at Risk

Medical Facilities, Health Workers Specially Protected under Laws of War

The Israeli military on October 27, 2023, alleged that Hamas was using hospitals in Gaza for military purposes.

The following quote can be attributed to Omar Shakir, Israel and Palestine director at Human Rights Watch:

“The Israeli army statement on Gaza hospitals raises grave concerns for the safety of patients and medical workers. If accurate, the use of medical facilities by Palestinian armed groups for military operations is alarming and violates the laws of war. But hospitals have special protections that they only lose if being used to ‘commit acts harmful to the enemy,’ and after due warning. Doctors, nurses, and ambulances have to be permitted to do their work and be protected in all circumstances.”