Musk says Starlink to provide connectivity in Gaza through aid groups

Elon Musk's Starlink to support communication in Gaza for recognised aid organisations amid internet blackout

Elon Musk said on Saturday that SpaceX's Starlink will support communication links in Gaza with "internationally recognized aid organisations".

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 we do know that "no terminal has requested a connection in that area".

No terminals from Gaza have attempted to communicate with our constellation.

SpaceX will support communication links with internationally recognized aid organizations.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 28, 2023

A telephone and internet blackout isolated people in the Gaza Strip from the world and from each other on Saturday, with calls to loved ones, ambulances or colleagues elsewhere all but impossible as Israel widened its air and ground assault.

International humanitarian organisations said the blackout, which began on Friday evening, was worsening an already desperate situation by impeding life-saving operations and preventing them from contacting their staff on the ground.

SpaceX did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment on how they will make sure the Starlink connection is used by aid organisations and not Hamas.

Read also: Ground battles rage in Gaza after Israel escalates bombing, cuts communications

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.