In the midst of a communication blackout in Gaza, Israel has expressed strong reservations about Elon Musk’s offer to provide communication support to the region. This article delves into the latest developments, concerns, and reactions surrounding this i
Since Friday, Gaza has been grappling with a complete shutdown of internet and communication services, affecting approximately 2.3 million people. This blackout has exacerbated an already dire situation in the besieged enclave, hampering the ability of residents to contact each other and the outside world. International humanitarian organizations have voiced their concerns, pointing out the hindrance this creates for emergency services, including the prompt arrival of ambulances for those injured in airstrikes.
Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, as well as the owner of X (formerly known as Twitter), made a surprising offer in response to the blackout. He stated that Starlink, a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX, would support connectivity to internationally recognized Gaza aid groups. Musk’s announcement came shortly after U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez questioned Israel’s decision to cut off communication in Gaza.
Israel’s Communication Minister, Shlomo Karhi, expressed apprehension about Musk’s offer, suggesting that the communication links could potentially be exploited by Hamas militants for “terrorist activities.” Karhi raised the possibility of conditioning this support on the release of Israeli citizens who are currently held captive.
Karhi’s statement emphasized Israel’s determination to use all available means to prevent what it perceives as a security threat. However, it is important to note that SpaceX has not yet responded to inquiries about how it plans to ensure that the Starlink connection is used exclusively by recognized aid organizations and not by Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip.
U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized Israel’s communication blackout, stating that cutting off all communication to a population of 2.2 million is unacceptable. She highlighted the risks to journalists, medical professionals, humanitarian efforts, and innocent civilians. In response to her post, Elon Musk assured that Starlink would support connectivity to internationally recognized aid organizations in Gaza.
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