United with Israel

Disconnected: Israel Cuts Starlink Ties as Musk Extends Satellite Aid to Gaza

Elon Musk

Elon Musk attends the opening of the Tesla factory Berlin Brandenburg in Gruenheide, Germany, March 22, 2022. (Patrick Pleul/Pool via AP, File)

Israeli experts assert that it would prove highly challenging to prevent Hamas from exploiting the system for their terrorist purposes.

By World Israel News Staff

Billionaire tycoon Elon Musk announced that SpaceX’s Starlink will operate in the Gaza Strip for the benefit of “internationally recognized aid organizations”.

“Starlink will support connectivity to internationally recognized aid organizations in Gaza”, Musk posted on his X.

Gaza experienced a widespread telephone and internet outage on Saturday. The blackout, starting Friday evening, has made communications within Gaza and to the outside world exceedingly difficult.

International humanitarian groups have expressed concern over the IDF blackout.

It would be very hard to prevent Hamas operatives from utilizing the system, who would leverage it for their own military needs, experts were cited in Israeli media as saying.

The IDF jammed the signals with the aim of disrupting communication among Hamas operatives.

Following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, Starlink satellites played a crucial role in sustaining internet connectivity in certain regions, despite efforts by Russia to jam the signals.

However, Musk refused to extend coverage over Crimea, which is under Russian control, rejecting the use of his satellites for Ukrainian attacks against Russian forces.

In response to Musk’s announcement, Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi stated on Saturday: “Israel will use all means at its disposal to fight this. 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 ties with Starlink.”

Musk’s announcement came after Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez slammed Israel’s decision to cut of the internet, saying: “Cutting off all media access for a population of 2.2 million people is unacceptable. I cannot fathom how such an action can be justified.”

Ocasio-Cortez did not condemn Hamas’ brutality in the wake of the Oct. 7 massacre.

Israel at War with Hamas. Support Israel Today!

The people of Israel need your help at this most critical time. Please make a donation to help protect and defend Israelis against unprecedented Hamas terror.

Rockets are falling. Sirens blare, with seconds to run for cover. IDF soldiers risk their lives battling terrorists inside Gaza. Thousands forced to abandon their homes in southern Israel.

To fight terror and save lives, UWI provides bomb shelters, anti-terror vehicles, protective gear, security equipment, medical assistance, relief to victims and much more. Help Israel fight and win this war against Hamas. The time to act is now!

CLICK HERE TO MAKE A DONATION

Exit mobile version