Israel-Hamas war: Ground invasion looming? Israel asks Google to disable live traffic maps in Gaza
Smoke rises following Israeli strikes in Gaza
The live traffic conditions in Israel and Gaza Strip have been disabled by Alphabet-owned Google, reportedly at the request of Israeli military. The development occurs ahead of a much-anticipated potential Israeli ground offensive into Gaza for a purported goal to "dismantle Hamas", the Gaza-based ground that launched a deadly wave of attacks on Israeli civilians on October 7 and left over 1,400 Israelis, mostlycivilians, dead.
"As we have done previously in conflict situations and in response to the evolving situation in the region, we have temporarily disabled the ability to see live traffic conditions and busyness information out of consideration for the safety of local communities," a Google spokesperson said in a statement.
What does it mean?
Live traffic information can potentially reveal the troop movements, posing a threat to the potential Israeli troop movements in Gaza.
Earlier in February 2022, shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an all-out Russian offensive in Ukraine, Google had disabled real-time road traffic data in Ukraine as well, which partly remains in place ever since.
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However, it doesn't mean that the drivers and people on road won't be able to use the navigation system. They still will be able to see estimated times of arrival based on the live conditions, according to an official Google statement.
After Google, Apple also disables real-time traffic on Maps
According to a report in Israeli technology website GeekTime, Apple-owned Maps app has also complied to a similar request by the Israeli army.
Israel is expected to launch a ground offensive into Gaza Strip, with reports in the western media claiming that the Israel's Defense Forces would begin by attempts to dismantle underground tunnels from where Hamas allegedly operates.
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Israel has called up more than 300,000 IDF reservists after October 7 attacks by Hamas.
The country’s purported plan for a ground offensive of Gaza has been criticised over the risk of civilian casualties.