Residents report cellular network block in south
In an attempt to stop Palestinian security prisoners from making illegal phone calls during their hunger strike, authorities block network access, affecting devices of residents in Nitzana area.
Following reports by residents and calls for an investigation, it was discovered that cellular network access was blocked by authorities attempting to prevent security prisoners in the Ktzi'ot and Nafha prisons from making illegal phone calls during their hunger strike.
Following requests and reports by Ynet, residents are reporting that they have access to cellular networks once again.
The area where the block took place Saturday morning was a largely agricultural zone and therefore, in addition to cell phones being affected, computer and irrigation systems also suffered disruption.
Residents warned that the disruption was endangering agriculture in the area due to a lack of irrigation services amid high temperatures. Additionally, residents also told authorities that without access to cellular networks, their ability to prepare for an emergency was greatly hampered.
Eran Doron, head of the Ramat HaNegev Regional Council, said, "This is an unprecedented step. In order to restrict security prisoners they harm area citizens, their security and their living, and they do it without any prior warning. I urgently turned to the Ministry of Public Security and Minister Gilad Erdan in order to take care of this issue immediately, before more damage is caused. I hope that next time, authorities will take into consideration that they need to provide security to their citizens as well."
The Israel Prison Service (IPS) said Saturday morning that a report had been received from the residents and the council, and that the IPS, with the help of other agencies, was resolving the issue.
