Elon Musk Offers Starlink Aid to Gaza Amid Ongoing Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

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ICARO Media Group
Politics
28/10/2023 22h18

In a bid to assist aid organizations in Gaza, tech billionaire Elon Musk has offered the use of his Starlink satellite internet service, according to a report by The Hill. The region has been plunged into a communication blackout as the conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas continues to escalate.

The Gaza Strip, currently under the control of Hamas, has been cut off from the internet and telephone communication due to the increasing airstrikes and ground campaign led by the Israeli military. As a result, civilians have been left stranded without the ability to call for help, while aid organizations struggle to effectively coordinate their relief efforts.

Musk stated that his company would provide access to internationally recognized aid organizations. However, the timeline for establishing the connection remains uncertain, as it requires specialized equipment to utilize the Starlink technology.

Meanwhile, the Israeli ground campaign appears to signal the start of a long-anticipated invasion of northern Gaza. The conflict was ignited earlier this month when Hamas militants launched a surprise attack on Israel, resulting in the loss of over 1,400 lives and the capture of more than 200 individuals.

As of Friday, the violence has claimed the lives of over 7,300 Palestinians, including a devastating number of at least 3,000 children, as reported by the Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry. The U.S. has firmly supported Israel throughout the conflict but has also expressed concerns about a full-scale ground invasion, fearing a broader escalation in the Middle East.

This move by Musk to offer aid through Starlink is reminiscent of his involvement in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. In a similar manner, the tech tycoon extended the use of Starlink to the Ukrainian military, albeit exclusively for defensive operations. This gesture has sparked debates regarding Musk's influence on U.S. foreign policy in the region.

As the Israeli-Palestinian conflict persists, Musk's offer of assistance through Starlink brings a glimmer of hope to the war-ravaged region, with the potential to provide vital communication channels for aid organizations operating in Gaza.

The views expressed in this article do not reflect the opinion of ICARO, or any of its affiliates.

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