Elon Musk, the CEO of the American spacecraft and satellite company SpaceX, has recently revealed that the Starlink internet connection of the company will provide communication to support international aid groups in Gaza throughout the current war between Israel and Hamas.
Musk said in a post on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that it was not clear who has authority for ground links in Gaza, but it is known that "no terminal has requested a connection in that area". As per reports, he has added that the Starlink internet connection will be used in Gaza by "internationally recognised aid organisations".
Responding to Musk's post on X, Israel's communication minister Shlomo Karhi said Israel "will use all means at its disposal to fight this." "Hamas will use it for terrorist activities," Karhi wrote. "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."
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. Since then, Musk has said he declined to extend coverage over Russian-occupied Crimea, refusing to allow his satellites to be used for Ukrainian attacks on Russian forces there.