Israel cuts off mobile, internet services in Gaza

Israel knocked out internet and communication in the Gaza Strip in stepped-up bombardment on Friday night (October 27), largely cutting off its 2.3 million people from contact with each other and the outside world and creating a near-blackout of information, as the military said it was “expanding” ground operations in the territory.

The military's announcement signalled it was moving closer to an all-out invasion of Gaza, where it has vowed to crush the ruling Hamas militant group after its bloody incursion in southern Israel three weeks ago.