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Fighting in Sinai

Cellular service returns to south Israel after Egyptian jams

After 20 days of disrupted cellular coverage in southern region caused by jams intended to frustrate communication between ISIS terrorists, leaders demand compensation from phone networks and government.

Residents of southern Israeli communities in the Gaza region were able to enjoy full cellular network coverage Sunday after 20 days of disruptions that were caused by Egypt’s jamming of mobile phone services aimed at damaging communication between ISIS-affiliated terrorists in Sinai.

 

 

Egyptian military officials reportedly told their Israeli counterparts last week at a meeting in Sharm El Sheikh that their electronic warfare will continue as long as the fighting against the ISIS loyalists in the peninsula continues.

 

As a result, Israelis in the bordering towns and in the western Negev were unable to receive or make phone calls or text messages.

 

Fighting in Sinai Peninsula
Fighting in Sinai Peninsula

 

Over the weekend, Ynet published that IDF officers and Defense Ministry representatives met last week with their counterparts in Egypt in an effort to halt disruptions.

 

“I hope that, as we have been told, the disruptions have indeed been brought to an end and will not return,” said head of the Eshkol Regional Council Gadi Yarkoni. “It caused serious damage to the residents, who in the midst of emergency incidents are trying to lead normal lives here.”

 

“With the discovery of the tunnel today, we received a reminder of the importance of cellular communication in the area being intact which is so sensitive for security," he noted. 

 

"The legal proceedings against the cellular networks are continuing and we expect compensation for the residents for the missing service which is required according to the contract with them and for the serious harm caused to businesses over the last month.”

 

During the meeting, which was attended by Communications Minister Ayoob Kara, representatives of the cellular services companies and leaders of the Sdot Negev Regional Council, the head of the Merhavim Regional Council Shai Hajaj, stressed that he expected that the companies and the government financially compensate the residents.

 

Minister Ayoob Kara (Photo: Meir Ohayon)
Minister Ayoob Kara (Photo: Meir Ohayon)
 

 

“The deficiencies in communication constitute a serious impact on the employment and livelihood of the residents. It is unacceptable that residents pay for communications services and don’t receive service," he said. 

 

"I expect the cellular companies and the government to see to it that financial compensation is given to the businesses that were affected and that all the residents are compensated for their cellular bills.

 

Head of the Merhavim Regional Council Shai Hajaj
Head of the Merhavim Regional Council Shai Hajaj

 

“This week, it was illustrated to us just how much proper cellular communication is necessary for the conduct of normal lives and in emergency situations involved," Hajaj continued. "When there was an incident in one of the communities, there was a difficulty in making contact with medical crews.”

 

Ayoob promised that he would convey Hajaj’s request for compensation to the government when it convenes on Tuesday in Dimona.

 


פרסום ראשון: 03.18.18, 20:32
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