THE internet cut-off in Gaza has severely limited residents' ability to receive warnings from the Israeli military, United Nations humanitarians said on Friday, June 13, 2025.
The Israeli military released a map of Gaza, marking in red a designated combat zone for civilians to avoid—apparently covering most of the strip.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), Gaza remains without internet or data connectivity after the last remaining fiber-optic cable serving central and southern areas was severed on Thursday amid intense hostilities. "Restoring connectivity is urgent," OCHA emphasized.
The agency reported that humanitarian partners working in telecommunications are continuing efforts to coordinate urgent repairs to Gaza’s fiber-optic infrastructure, including previously damaged routes. However, they stated that since April, Israeli authorities have denied more than 20 requests to carry out such work.
“As the outage continues, partners are unable to communicate or coordinate response activities. People in need remain isolated and without the information necessary to access life-saving support and emergency services,” OCHA said. The agency stressed the critical importance of immediate repairs.
OCHA also noted that the fuel blockade—now exceeding 100 days—remains in effect. Adequate fuel supplies are essential for sustaining vital services in Gaza, including intensive care units and critical health, water, and sanitation operations. Fuel is also required to power generators that support telecommunications equipment.
The agency reported that Israeli authorities continue to block numerous humanitarian movements intended to assist Gaza’s population.
Of the 18 United Nations attempts on Thursday to coordinate such missions—including the retrieval of wheat flour and fuel—eight were unsuccessful. Four additional missions were either impeded or canceled by organizers due to security or logistical concerns. The remaining six missions, including the relocation of staff, were completed successfully.
Delivering food aid to hungry Gazans remains a significant challenge.
Tom Fletcher, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, said the killing and injury of civilians seeking food—and those delivering it—are unacceptable.
On Thursday, Fletcher reported that UN convoys carrying humanitarian aid have been intercepted by armed Palestinian groups, endangering staff and drivers. Desperate civilians attempting to access the limited aid have been shot by Israeli forces, crushed by aid trucks, or stabbed during food distributions.
Starving civilians have reported that Israeli forces opened fire on them, particularly near the distribution centers of the newly established Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). On Wednesday, the GHF stated that Palestinians involved in distributing food at their hubs—sponsored by the United States and approved by Israel—were killed, injured, or captured by Hamas.
“Without immediate and massively scaled-up access to the basic means of survival, we risk a descent into famine, further chaos, and the loss of more lives,” Fletcher warned. “Hunger must never be met with bullets. Humanitarians must be allowed to do their work.” (Xinhua)