ALBAWABA - Palestinian media reports said that the Israeli occupation authorities have completely cut off the Internet and electricity from the Gaza Strip. Simultaneously, media sources are reporting the commencement of a ground assault by the occupying forces and intense bombardment throughout the Strip.
And 20 hours ago, Motaz Azaiza, a Palestinian photographer and journalist with an Instagram account boasting 10 million followers, shared his latest post and stories, sparking concern about his safety and wellbeing. This is particularly worrisome given his well-known track record of providing consistent coverage of the war on Gaza.
In his last post, Motaz shared pictures of the airstrike attack on Al-Shate refugee camp.
He wrote: "Gazans trying to evacuate injuries after an Israeli airstrike on Al-Shate refugee camp."
Social media is checking every second if Motaz Azaiza is back to posting
@motaz_azaiza's Instagram followers and supporters are deeply concerned and uneasy about the photographer's absence for nearly a full day, highlighting his unwavering commitment to providing hourly updates on the situation in Gaza.
Many followers say that it is definitely because the internet and electricity are cut off and there's no mean of communication with the outside world, praying that no harm has befallen him.
For instance, @aberhaam wrote: "I keep coming back to see if he’s posted" and @creepingmould responded: "they’ve been cut off from the internet now. It’s terrifying, we won’t know how anyone on the ground is for who knows how long? This is horrible."
Another follower urged Motaz to show up and reassure his followers that he's ok. She wrote: "Motaz are you okay? Please say something."
Motaz Azaiza is alive and doing well
Instagram user @m28ode left a comment that says: "HES ALIVE!!! @mohamed.h.masri story!!!" And when checking Mohammed Al Masri's Stories, he shared a message that his colleague Motaz Azaiza is ok.
Al Masri shared an image while standing next to Motaz and 2 other journalists and wrote: "Our friend Motaz Azaiza is fine and well, but he does not have access to the internet or any means of communication. In fact, communication is missing in all parts of Gaza Strip."
For the 21st day in a row, the Israeli occupation army continues to target the Gaza Strip with intense air strikes that destroyed entire neighborhoods and killed and wounded thousands of Palestinian civilians.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health announced that the death toll from the ongoing Israeli occupation forces aggression against the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, since October 7, has risen to 7,415 martyrs and 20,517 wounded.
