Palestinians charge their mobile phones from a point powered by solar panels provided by Adel Shaheen, an owner of an electric appliances shop, as electricity remains cut during the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip October 19, 2023. REUTERS/Mohammed SalemAs reported by Reuters on Saturday, billionaire businessman Elon Musk has promised that SpaceX’s Starlink will support communication links in Gaza with “internationally recognized aid organizations”, prompting Israel’s communication minister to say Israel would fight the move.
Responding to a post on X by the US leader Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, popularly known as AOC, Musk said “Starlink will support connectivity to internationally recognized aid organizations in Gaza.”
Showing her disapproval on Israel’s actions of cutting internet and phone network across Gaza completely late Friday, AOC took to her X handle and posted,
JOIN US TO STAY UPDATED ON YOUR FAVORITE MESSENGER APP!
“Cutting off all communication to a population of 2.2 million is unacceptable. Journalists, medical professionals, humanitarian efforts, and innocents are all endangered,” Said AOC on X. “I do not know how such an act can be defended. The United States has historically denounced this practice.” AOC added
Starlink will support connectivity to internationally recognized aid organizations in Gaza.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 28, 2023
[ComStar]
Besides this, Dr. Anastasia Maria Loupis, a medical doctor from Denmark on Friday posted on X – notifying Elon Musk for the immediate need of Starlink in Gaza.
“Dear @elonmusk, Gaza is under bombardment, the internet and of telecommunications have been cut off. They need StarLink immediately. #starlinkforgaza”
In response to Dr Loupis, Musk said,
“It is not clear who has authority for ground links in Gaza, but do we know that no terminal has requested a connection in that area”
It is not clear who has authority for ground links in Gaza, but do we know that no terminal has requested a connection in that area
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 28, 2023
Backtracking to Musk’s reply, Dr Loupis further requested by saying “Pls investigate, These people are suffering and can’t inform the world of what they are going through.”
Pls investigate🙌🏻 These people are suffering and can’t inform the world of what they are going through 💔
— Dr. Anastasia Maria Loupis (@DrLoupis) October 28, 2023
In response to Musk’s promise of offering internet aid to Gaza, Shlomo Karhi, the Communications Minsiter of Israel said,
“Israel will use all means at its disposal to fight this.” said Karhi, “HAMAS will use it for terrorist activities. There is no doubt about it, we know it, and musk knows it. HAMAS is ISIS.”, “Perhaps Musk would be willing to condition it with the release of our abducted babies, sons, daughters, elderly people. All of them!”, “By then, my office will cut any ties with starlink.” Karhi concluded
Israel will use all means at its disposal to fight this.
— 🇮🇱שלמה קרעי – Shlomo Karhi (@shlomo_karhi) October 28, 2023
HAMAS will use it for terrorist activities. There is no doubt about it, we know it, and musk knows it. HAMAS is ISIS.
Perhaps Musk would be willing to condition it with the release of our abducted babies, sons, daughters,… https://t.co/pRNOlnINbZ
According to various reports, International humanitarian organizations said the blackout was worsening an already desperate situation in Gaza. They said that the loss of communication impacts the primary emergency number 101 and obstructs the prompt arrival of ambulances to assist those injured in airstrikes.
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Starlink satellites were reported to have been critical to maintaining internet connectivity in some areas despite attempted Russian jamming.
According to Reuters, SpaceX has not responded to its request for comment on how it would ensure any Starlink connection was used by aid organizations and not by Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip.
It is worth noting that following Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Starlink satellites were reported to have been critical to maintaining internet connectivity in some areas despite attempted Russian jamming.
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