Israeli Troops Battle Hamas Militants, Cutting Off Gaza's Phone and Internet Connections Again

Gaza experienced another communications blackout as Israeli troops battled Hamas militants, disrupting aid agencies' work and leaving the population cut off from the world. Dozens of foreign passport holders gathered at a border crossing in hopes of leaving the besieged enclave, while a small number of wounded individuals were also permitted to exit. However, Egypt has expressed concerns about accepting Palestinian refugees, fearing that Israel will not allow them to return after the war. The conflict has resulted in a high number of casualties on both sides, with over 8,500 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis killed. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with shortages of basic supplies and a lack of access to medical care.