Starlink operation in Gaza restricted to Israeli permission

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
27 Nov 2023 14:00
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"Israel" announces that it had agreed with Elon Musk that SpaceX would offer Starlink satellite internet services in Gaza only with its approval.

Palestinians walk through Gaza City on Sunday, Nov. 26, 2023 (AP Photo/Mohammed Hajjar)

Israeli Occupation Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi stated on Monday that he has reached a preliminary agreement with US billionaire Elon Musk to deploy Starlink satellite communication services in the Gaza Strip, but is restricted to Israeli approval.

In late October, Musk announced that his company SpaceX, the operator of Starlink, would provide support for communications with internationally recognized aid groups in Gaza during a telephone and internet blackout in the enclave.

"As a result of this significant agreement, Starlink satellite units can only be operated in Israel with the approval of the Israeli Ministry of Communications, including the Gaza Strip," the minister wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

On Sunday, The Times of Israel reported that Israeli President Isaac Herzog would meet with Musk on Monday.

Earlier in the month, Palestinian Authority Communications Minister Ishaq Sadr informed Sputnik that Musk had refrained from providing satellite network services to Gaza due to Israeli threats.

This came before Karhi condemned Musk's pledge to allow Starlink’s connectivity to help internationally recognized organizations helping in the Gaza Strip. In response, he announced that the occupation ministry is severing all ties with Starlink.

"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 any ties with Starlink," Karhi posted on X.

This decision came on the heels of Musk’s decision to deploy the Starlink satellite system in the Gaza Strip following pro-Palestine calls for Musk to allow Starlink over Gaza after the occupation isolated the city by cutting off all means of communication.

Although Musk clarified that the move was intended to aid internationally recognized organizations to coordinate their efforts better, considering that they were stalled and even jeopardized, it was met with defiance and insolence from the Israeli government.