In January, Mohammed Sweirky, a technician for Gaza’s largest telecommunications firm, Paltel, embarked on a hazardous work trip to the northern Gaza Strip. His task was to mend the demolished telecommunications structure, despite his family’s concerns about the ongoing conflict in that region between Israeli forces and Hamas militants.
Sweirky, originally from Gaza City and currently residing in a garage in Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city, with six members of his family, felt obligated to undertake the task. He knew there was a pressing need for phone services restoration for the dwellers of the afflicted area. During his departure, he was moved by the fears of his family, but felt he could not abandon his mission.
Sweirky’s role in recovering telecommunications in the region has become one of the most treacherous, but also one of the most critical since the start of conflict. Israeli offensive action against Hamas has severely damaged the communications infrastructure, including fibre cables underground, data centres and mobile phone towers.
Post the initial conflict, approximately 50 Paltel workers have been tirelessly working across Gaza to resuscitate services in regions that have been experiencing blackouts for extensive periods. Paltel’s operations in Gaza, dependent on three telecommunication channels passing through Israel, has exposed its service crew to significant danger. They have frequently found themselves working in close proximity to the combat zones, and allegedly targeted during the skirmishes.
The company and the Palestinian Authority’s telecommunications division report that at least two Paltel workers have lost their lives on the job, with 16 of them deceased since the war surged. These power outages across Gaza have critically impeded inhabitants’ ability to reach out for assistance, update on current situations, co-ordinate aid distribution and communicate with their loved ones overseas. Establishing connections is challenging, and if they do connect, they are seldom stable.
However, some Palestinians have discovered methods to skirt these blackouts by utilising cards that are compatible with Israeli or Egyptian networks, and tieing up to alternative infrastructure known as microwave link.
Tariq Bakhit, a 33-year-old emergency medical worker, emphasised the crucial role of communication in a warfare setting, where a single phone call can mean the distinction between life and death.
Disruptions in connectivity are largely attributed to air attacks and damage on thoroughfares by the Palestinian Authority’s telecommunications ministry and a Paltel executive, which impact over-ground and underground infrastructure. Mamoon Fares, the head of Paltel’s Gaza emergency committee, also highlighted that Israel had thrice disconnected communication in Gaza. Paltel recognised this after the resumption of network services sans their intervention, on the respective incidents. However, the Israeli military didn’t give any response.
Fares also noted the destruction of many miles of Paltel’s fibre cables, the offline status of two of its four primary data centres and over 100 of its cellular towers were damaged during the conflict.
Before Paltel staff access areas under Israeli control, the company submits technicians’ personal data, including names, ID numbers and vehicle plate numbers, to international bodies or Palestinian authorities. This data is then forwarded to Israeli security officials. Once they receive the green light from Israel to proceed with a project, the workers follow the specific navigation path provided by the Israeli officials. Despite these measures, Paltel has reported several near-misses and one fatal episode.
During one incident in mid-December, a Paltel crew found themselves caught in the crossfire while they were attempting to fix an underwater cable in a crater located in the southern city of Khan Younis. Kamel Amsy, a 52-year-old engineer, described the terrifying situation as Israeli tanks and militants clashed around them. The team had to lie flat on the ground to avoid the flying bullets.
When Fares contacted Palestinian officials, following the agreed protocol, to notify the Israeli officials about the hazardous location of his workers, the directive from Israel was for the technicians to remain in their current position. After half an hour, an Israeli soldier advised the technicians to evacuate to the east, however the crater impeded this exit. Concerned for their safety, the crew drove westward to avoid the conflict, Amsy mentioned.
Following a lengthy blackout, technicians successfully reinstated connectivity in southern Gaza. While performing the task, an unfortunate incident occurred. The Israel army had initially given the green light for the Paltel technicians to operate in the area, but rescinded the permission due to unexpected “operational activity”. The military denied any knowledge of tank fire aimed at the technicians, insisting they were not the intended target.
In a separate episode in December, 49-year-old Khan Younis technician, Nader Abu Hajjaj, reported his work was interrupted by air strikes whilst he was carrying out repairs in his hometown. The Israeli military claimed their goal was an anti-tank position atop the building, and that they ceased fire as soon as they were made aware of the presence of Paltel staff members.
Tragically, Abu Hajjaj and his coworker, Bahaa al-Rayes, were later killed when their vehicle was hit by tank fire on their way back from a Khan Younis project. Paltel believes the incident was occasioned by a tank opening fire, as conveyed by an injured employee. The Israeli army has pledged to look into the matter, whilst Cogat, the Israeli agency in charge of relations with Palestinians, affirmed that it had been in communication about Abu Hajjaj and Rayes’ movements.
The total impact of the destruction on Paltel’s resources in Gaza is yet to be unraveled. However, Fares estimated that around 80% of the network was nonfunctional, with a significant part that needed replacement. He forecasted that fully restoring the network would take several years, dependent on the rate of the broader reconstructive efforts.
Re-establishing the network faces an additional hurdle, according to Fares: Israel’s withholding of equipment such as fibre cables, antennas, and microwave dishes into Gaza. Senior telecommunications ministry official, Eyhab Esbaih, confirmed that negotiations with Israel to secure equipment imports continues, facilitated by international parties. Fares echoed his sentiments, declaring Israel has not yet permitted such shipments into Gaza.
Cogat reportedly authorised the import of spare parts for telecommunications infrastructure, but wouldn’t go into specifics about the permitted items. It’s well known that Israeli officials have a history of denying entry of what they deem ‘dual-use’ items to Gaza. These items can potentially serve both military and civilian needs.
Technicians also reported being obstructed and apprehended by Israeli forces. Technicians Amsy and Sweirky, along with a few others, were allegedly held at gunpoint during a journey to fix cables in northern Gaza last December. According to Amsy, the soldiers blindfolded him, and his hands were bound with zip ties. They were suspected of recording the area, but he persuaded them of their approved repair objective, resulting in their release.
Amsy described the ordeal as “extremely humiliating.” As he put it, “You make an effort to accomplish your work, but you are not accorded any respect.”
When questioned about this incident, the Israeli army did not acknowledge Amsy’s account of the soldiers’ deeds or verify the event. Rather, they stated that all detainees are to “be treated with dignity and respect.”
After their liberation, Amsy convinced most of his demoralised team to carry on with their mission of enhancing northern Gaza’s communications. However, they were soon forced to retreat after nearby tank fire rattled them. “At that juncture, it dawned upon us that this mission was unfeasible,” according to Amsy. Fares, who was on a call with the technicians at that moment, confirmed hearing the fire.
The Israeli military, when asked about the reported gunfire, replied that they couldn’t identify the incident with the given details. This report first appeared in The New York Times. ©2024 The New York Times Company.