Internet and phone networks were restored across Gaza Saturday evening after a three-day blackout, during which Israeli occupation forces killed more than 170 Palestinians.
The blackout ended when permission was granted to Palestine Telecommunications Company technicians to repair damage caused by Israeli shelling near Gaza City and Khan Younis.
A source at the company, who spoke to Al Manassa on condition of anonymity, said Israeli forces had initially refused international mediation efforts to allow repairs but relented on Saturday morning. Despite the danger, crews went to the affected sites for the ninth time since the genocidal war began. They managed to restore service despite extremely limited resources, according to the source.
The communications blackout coincided with escalating Israeli bombardment, even as war broke out between Israel and Iran. Over 170 people were killed and more than 700 injured during the three days, with many still missing, a medical source at the Gaza Health Ministry told Al Manassa.
“More than 70 bodies arrived at hospitals on Saturday alone,” the source said. The victims included civilians waiting for food parcels from the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation in the Mawasi and Netzarim areas, where the Israeli military launched shelling and drone attacks on aid queues.
One eyewitness said hundreds gathered at dawn Saturday in Netzarim to receive aid, only for the occupation army to strike with artillery and fire from helicopters and drones. “Some bodies are still lying on the ground,” he added, “rescue teams couldn’t reach them.”
GHF began aid distribution in late May, following a nearly three-month siege by Israeli occupation forces. However, the limited aid handouts have turned deadly, with dozens killed near distribution centers as Israeli forces targeted civilians directly.
Families across Gaza have posted urgent appeals about missing loved ones who disappeared while attempting to collect food aid.
Photojournalist Ahmed al-Danaf told Al Manassa he hasn’t heard from his 23-year-old brother Fadi since Wednesday. “He left with a friend to get food. It’s been three days without news,” he said. “We searched every hospital in the Strip, hoping he was admitted as an unidentified casualty or martyr, but found nothing.”
Early Sunday morning, dozens were injured in four separate attacks on crowds waiting for flour and food parcels. Witnesses said tanks and warships fired on civilians gathered in northwest Gaza City, southwest Gaza City along Netzarim Road, and along Salah al-Din Street.
Further casualties were reported in the northwest of Rafah in southern Gaza, according to another journalist speaking to Al Manassa, who said ambulance crews have been unable to retrieve victims.
Israeli forces resumed their war on Gaza on March 18, following a temporary truce that began Jan. 19. The deal was intended to secure the release of all captives held by Hamas and culminate in Israel’s withdrawal from the Strip, but collapsed without resolution.
