Israel’s government has partially shut down the only commercial fibre-optic internet network connecting Israel and Palestine to the city of Hebron, citing “national security” concerns.

Israel’s government has partially shut down the only commercial fibre-optic internet network connecting Israel and Palestine to the city of Hebron, citing “national security” concerns.<br><br>Hebron, a city with a population of around 215,000, is a significant cultural and economic hub in the West Bank. The shutdown was announced by Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi, who he said that the fibre-optic network will now only be accessible to Palestinian telecomms operators with security clearance from the Israeli military and intelligence agencies.<br><br>“We will not let the Palestinian Authority take control of the infrastructure that could impact our national security,” Karhi said. He did not provide further details on the shutdown.<br><br>The fibre-optic network, operated by the Israeli company Bezeq, is the only commercial fibre-optic internet network connecting Israel and Palestine to Hebron and the surrounding areas. The network was installed in 2015, after the Israeli government approved the installation of fibre-optic cables in the West Bank.<br><br>The Israeli government has been imposing strict restrictions on the use of the internet in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, citing security concerns.<br><br>This shutdown will particularly affect businesses, schools, universities, and other institutions in Hebron that rely heavily on the fibre-optic network for high-speed internet access. With the shutdown, these institutions will have to use other, more expensive internet providers which may not offer the same level of service.<br><br>The shutdown is also expected to have a broader impact on the Palestinian economy, as many businesses and institutions rely on the fibre-optic network to connect with customers, suppliers, and partners in Israel and other parts of the world.<br><br>Critics of the shutdown argue that it is a political move by the Israeli government to restrict the Palestinian economy and limit the ability of Palestinians to communicate with each other and with the outside world.<br><br>This is indeed another example of Israel's actions against Palestinians