BBC [1] says this was the SEA-ME-WE 4 cable. The cut (according to the SEA-ME-WE_4 wiki page [2]), lead to a degradation of internet speed by 60% in several countries including Pakistan and Egypt.

How large are these cables? Looks like about 2.7in [3], so it easily fits in the palm of your hand [4]. To get an idea of what this looks like, check out a photo of a similar deployment [5].

[1] http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-21963100

[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SEA-ME-WE_4

[3] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submarine_communications_cable

[4] http://blog.zulyusof.com/?p=135

[5] http://news.priyo.com/tech/2011/08/06/bangladesh-experience-...