Gaza 'blacked out' after Israeli strikes cut off internet, phone services

The largest telecommunications provider in Gaza says that the Strip is currently 'blacked out' as strikes from Israel hit internet and phone services in the region.“We regret to announce a complete disruption of all communication and internet services with the Gaza Strip in light of the ongoing aggression,” the Palestine Telecommunications Company, known as Paltel.Meanwhile, the Red Crescent Society said it had completely lost contact with its Gaza operations room and its teams operating there, and the Hamas-run government said rescue crews were unable to receive emergency calls.Internet monitoring groups told CNN that this is the worst internet blackout that Gaza has witnessed since the war between Israel and Hamas began on October 7.“The heavy bombardment of the past hour has resulted in the destruction of all remaining international paths connecting Gaza to the outside world,” Paltel said on Facebook.It added, "This destruction is in addition to the paths that were previously destroyed during the ongoing aggression, which has led to the interruption of all communication services from our beloved Gaza Strip.”A California-based firm that monitors online connectivity globally called Kentik says that it could take days for internet services to get restored in the Gaza Strip owing to the ongoing bombardment and humanitarian crisis.Meanwhile, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari Friday said that the military has "ramped up airstrikes in the Gaza Strip in the last few hours and will continue to carry out ground operations," adding that Israel will 'expand' its activities.Hamas said on Saturday its militants in Gaza were ready to confront Israeli attacks with "full force" after Israel's military widened its air and ground attacks on the Palestinian enclave.With inputs from agencies