Elon Musk announced on October 28 that SpaceX's Starlink will provide communication support to "internationally recognized aid organizations" in Gaza. However, Israel's Communication Minister, Shlomo Karhi, expressed opposition to this move and stated that Israel would take action against it.
Musk, in a post on the social media platform X, mentioned that the authority for ground links in Gaza was unclear, and no terminal had requested a connection in that area. The Gaza Strip experienced a telephone and internet blackout, isolating its residents from the outside world and making communication nearly impossible, as Israel expanded its military operations.
No terminals from Gaza have attempted to communicate with our constellation.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 28, 2023
SpaceX will support communication links with internationally recognized aid organizations.
International humanitarian organizations expressed concerns that the blackout was exacerbating the already dire situation by hindering life-saving operations and limiting contact with their staff on the ground. There is also uncertainty about how SpaceX will ensure that the Starlink connection is used exclusively by aid organizations and not by the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip.
In response to Musk's announcement, Israel's Communication Minister, Shlomo Karhi, asserted that Israel would take all available measures to oppose the move, expressing concerns that Hamas might use it for terrorist activities. Karhi suggested that Musk could condition the use of Starlink on the release of abducted individuals. He also mentioned the possibility of cutting ties with Starlink.
Notably, Starlink's satellites played a crucial role in maintaining internet connectivity in some areas during Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, despite attempts by Russia to jam the signals. Elon Musk had previously refused to extend coverage over Russian-occupied Crimea and declined to allow his satellites to be used for Ukrainian attacks on Russian forces in the region.
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