Internet connectivity has been partially restored in the Gaza trip almost two days after it was cut off to coincide with heavy bombing and the movement of Israeli tanks into the enclave.

“Real-time network data show that internet connectivity is being restored in the Gaza Strip,” Cybersecurity monitoring group NetBlocks said.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said the communications blackout had blocked emergency calls and disrupted critical ambulance services.

It comes after Israel said its best soldiers were fighting Hamas inside the Gaza Strip on Saturday night, with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring that the “second stage” of a long war against the terror group had begun.

The prime minister and military leaders stopped short of calling the country’s expanded ground offensive in Gaza an invasion, even as they confirmed that troops would remain in the coastal enclave.

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