Microsoft destroyed my online life after I called home to Gaza

Salah Elsadi is living in the US and, like many Palestinians abroad, was using Skype to call his wife, children and parents on their mobile phones in Gaza.

The internet is frequently disrupted or switched off because of the Israeli military campaign – and standard international calls are very expensive.

With a paid Skype subscription, it is possible to call mobiles in Gaza cheaply – and while the internet is down – so it has become a lifeline to many Palestinians.

But in April, Mr Elsadi, like many others, was kicked out of his account – and all services linked to his Microsoft Hotmail account.