Beirut, October 4-7, 2024 | After one year of destroying Gaza’s telecom infrastructure as another war tactic, the Israeli occupation has begun targeting communications in Lebanon as well.
We are sharing updates from the Minister of Telecommunications about the number of transmission stations that have gone offline over the last two weeks. Maintenance teams are unable to reach and repair them due to nonstop Israeli bombardment across various Lebanese regions. Our team also provides tips to protect your devices and stay safe during these critical times.
Ministry of Telecommunications Extends Validity of Prepaid Mobile Line
Minister of Telecommunications Johnny Corm announced the “extension of the validity of prepaid mobile lines by seven days from the due date, and the postponement of fixed bill payments for one month as part of emergency measures.”
However, is this period sufficient given the current conditions faced by people in Lebanon?
Previously, SMEX had called on the Lebanese government to take several measures to ensure people’s access to telecommunications networks under any circumstances, including an urgent and free extension of the validity of monthly lines.
Corm presented the damages to the telecommunications sector resulting from the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanon in numbers, which you can find below:
Corm also pointed out that “areas that have seen significant displacement have recorded an increase in network demand, causing considerable pressure on the telecommunications infrastructure. As a result, local roaming services have been activated, and resources have been redistributed, along with increased operating hours for stations experiencing high usage.”
Ogero Unable to Reach and Repair Damage Caused by Israeli Bombardment
The Director-General of Ogero, Imad Kreidieh, announced that “maintenance teams were unable to address the telecommunications and internet crisis in the Hasbaya – Marjayoun areas in southern Lebanon.”
“We did not receive security approval from the Lebanese army and UNIFIL to supply central stations with fuel, and it has become difficult to access areas where battles are taking place to repair the damage,” Kreidieh told local media.
This week alone, Israeli bombardment has targeted telecommunications infrastructure in various parts of Lebanon, leaving people almost unable to communicate with each other and the outside world.
Ogero should ensure that no communication networks or converters in the south are turned off so that people still in danger zones are not deprived of their right to access the telecommunications network.
The Ministry of Telecommunications and the Lebanese government must take the necessary measures to ensure continued communications in southern Lebanon and other areas.
Aid Cards: Is Israel Tracking Their Holders?
Warning messages have spread via WhatsApp among recipients of a particular aid card issued by a specific party, claiming that the Israeli army can track the cardholders’ locations due to a chip embedded in the cards. These messages urged recipients to dispose of the cards as quickly as possible.
SMEX’s Digital Safety Helpdesk explains that this type of chip does not allow for tracking the geographical location of the cardholders. However, the Helpdesk adds that, if a breach occurs, it is more likely to be of the database containing the names of cardholders, not the cards themselves.
For now, it is essential not to share any personal information with unknown parties over the phone, even if they claim to be offering aid. Always get information from trusted sources, and verify any messages circulated on social media and messaging apps before believing and sharing them.
General Tips for Enhancing Your Digital Security
The Digital Safety Helpdesk offers some general advice to help enhance your digital security and avoid falling victim to any digital attacks:
- Always verify incoming calls and make sure you know the identity of the callers before sharing any information.
- Protect your social media accounts by using strong passwords and enabling two-step verification.
- Use encrypted messaging apps like Signal.
- Follow only trusted news sources to stay informed and avoid disinformation.
- Visit this blog for more information.
You can reach our team at the Digital Safety Helpdesk if you experience or suspect any form of digital threat through:
- Signal/WhatsApp: +96181633133
- Email: helpdesk@smex.org
Stay safe!
