Oct 28, 2023. Posted by Balkan Periscope - Hellas
Israel has responded strongly to Elon Musk's pledge to provide aid organizations in Gaza with Starlink satellite service as the besieged strip struggles with internet connectivity.
Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Hamas "will use it for terrorist activities."
"Perhaps Musk would be willing to condition it on the release of our kidnapped babies, boys, girls, elderly people. All those! Until then, my office will sever all ties with Starlink,” Karhi posted.
Musk made the announcement at X after Democratic US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez said that "cutting off any communication with a population of 2.2 million is unacceptable."
"Starlink will support connectivity with leading international aid organizations in Gaza," Musk said in a tweet responding to Ocasio-Cortez.
In another post responding to another X account, Musk said: "No terminal from Gaza has attempted to communicate with our constellation."
Communications in the Gaza Strip have been severely disrupted as Israel intensifies air and ground attacks in the region. Aid groups say they have been unable to communicate with teams in the area.
Earlier, the World Health Organization said it was "out of touch" with its staff in Gaza, and the UN Relief and Works Agency's commissioner-general for Palestine Refugees in the Near East wrote to staff on Saturday saying the organization is " deeply concerned” for them during the break.
--