Palestinians turn to social media for news about loved ones amid blackout
Gaza photographer Maha al-Astal is being inundated with pleas from people whose loved ones in Gaza are missing or feared killed in Israeli air strikes.
"They implore me and others with a large social media following to relay their messages to those who remain in northern Gaza to join the rescue efforts," she told Middle East Eye.
"They send us desperate requests to share their stories on social media platforms."
In the midst of intense Israeli air strikes, the disruption of mobile networks and the severe reduction of telecommunications signals along the primary routes, as reported by Palestinian telecoms provider Paltel multiple times during October and November, have undermined rescue efforts in Gaza.
Samir al-Khatib, the deputy director of Gaza's civil defence, told MEE that the interruption of telecommunication services has disconnected them from those seeking help.