Gaza begins to restore communications after cable cut

An Israeli army bulldozer has damaged a communications cable and cut all phone and Internet networks in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip, Palestinian officials said Wednesday. The blackout happened late Tuesday by a military bulldozer operating in Nahal Oz, close to the border with the Palestinian territory, Hamas telecommunications officials told AFP, adding that service was being progressively restored. "Repairs have allowed the gradual resumption of communications," they said.
Although communications were still subject to disturbance, they had been largely restored by Wednesday afternoon. "The loss of connection in Gaza happened because Israeli bulldozers destroyed the fiber-optic network that connects Gaza...to the West Bank and the world," Palestinian telecoms operator Paltel said in a statement. It said the cables had been buried eight meters below ground.
It said breaks in communication could continue over the next 24 hours. An Israeli military spokesman denied the army was "responsible for the incident," but added that it was willing to "help restore communications." Paltel CEO Ammar al-Aker said in the statement that his staff are coordinating with the Israelis in order to carry out repairs "despite the difficult security circumstances”.

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