Internet, mobile phone service and landlines were mysteriously cut off in Gaza Strip areas sparking fear of a pending Israeli offensive. Late Tuesday night telecommunications were severed in many areas affecting multiple platforms, Ma'an news agency reported. In some areas access to Israeli Internet servers remained online and people with Blackberry mobile phones were able to communicate. Residents feared the communications breakdown signified an Israeli invasion in the Gaza Strip was underway, the International Middle East Media Center said. The cause of the blackout is unclear,however some Palestinians reported spotting Israeli bulldozers operating near northern Gaza shortly before the blackout occurred, the agency said. A military spokesman however denied the claims. Technicians at the Palestinian mobile phone company Jawwal said they had received complaints from customers but were unable to explain what caused the problem.
