Israeli tanks pushed into two gateway neighborhoods of Gaza City on Thursday as residents reported a communications blackout across the enclave, signaling an imminent escalation of ground operations.
Israeli forces control Gaza City's eastern suburbs and, in recent days, have been pounding the Sheikh Radwan and Tel al-Hawa areas, from where they would be positioned to advance on central and western areas where most of the population is sheltering.
"The disconnection of internet and phone services is a bad omen. It has always been a bad signal, something very brutal is going to happen," said Ismail, who only gave one name. He was using an e-SIM to connect his phone, a dangerous method as it requires seeking higher ground to receive a signal.
"The situation around me is very desperate. People in tents and in houses are very worried for their lives. Many can't afford to leave, but many do not want to," he said, speaking from a coastal area in the west of the city.
Main network routes targeted
