Tech billionaire Elon Musk offered nationally recognized aid organizations in Gaza use of his Starlink satellite internet service Saturday while millions in the region have been cut off from communications.
Mr. Musk said on his social media platform X that none of the terrestrial terminals in Gaza have attempted to communicate with the satellite service but promised that his company, SpaceX, would support communications for aid organizations in the region.
“SpaceX will support communication links with internationally recognized aid organizations,” Mr. Musk said. “We will support the U.N. and other internationally recognized aid groups.”
The move is similar to Mr. Musk’s promise to provide Starlink access and equipment to Ukraine in the early stages of Russia’s invasion of the country last year.
However, he began to change his stance on the war-beleaguered country’s usage of his communications technology over mounting costs and the role that Starlink could play in military offensives.
Mr. Musk’s pledge comes as communications in the Gaza Strip, which is occupied by the terrorist organization Hamas, have been knocked out by continued bombardments from the Israeli Defense Force.
A lack of viable communication ability has left Palestinian civilians without a way to call for aid and stymied attempts by aid organizations to communicate with people on the ground. Palestinian officials have said that the communications blackout has “totally paralyzed” health networks.
The death toll in Palestine has risen to over 7,700. Women and children have made up the majority of deaths, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. Meanwhile, Israeli officials have said the war in Gaza has entered a new phase as bombardments continue to pummel the region ahead of expanded ground operations.
Israel declared war on Hamas after the Oct. 7 surprise attacks carried out by the terrorist organization left over 1,400 Israelis dead.
— This article is based in part on wire service reports.
