It looks like Elon Musk may be backing away from offering Starlink access to Palestinians living in the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.
A month ago, Musk tweeted about supplying satellite internet connectivity to humanitarian aid groups working in Gaza. In response, Israel’s Minister of Communications Shlomo Karhi threatened to cut ties with SpaceX over fears the Starlink units could be used by Hamas.
On Monday, however, Karhi said his country had reached a deal over the Starlink access, as Musk was filmed touring Israel with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
(Photo by Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO) Handout via Getty Images)“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,” Karhi tweeted.
“As the State of Israel fights against Hamas - ISIS, this understanding is vital, as is it for everyone who desires a better world, free of evil and free of anti-Semitism, for our children's sake,” he added.
So far, Musk hasn’t responded to the news. But in an online chat with Netanyahu, Musk said joined the prime minister in touring the areas where numerous Israeli civilians were massacred during Hamas' attack on Oct. 7, which sparked the ongoing war.
Musk said “I’d like to help as well” after Netanyahu said Israel is focused on destroying Hamas and “de-radicalizing Gaza” while rebuilding it again. “It’s important to pair firmness in taking out the terrorists, and those who wish, or intent on murder. And at the same time to help those who remain," Musk added.
So it’s possible Israel and SpaceX could bring the Starlink connectivity to the Gaza Strip, but only after the war ends. In the meantime, internet access in Gaza has remained unstable. On Nov. 17, broadband access was down in the area for over 24 hours “after the depletion of generator fuel and backups supplying network infrastructure,” according to internet monitoring group NetBlocks. Although some internet service was restored, “service remains significantly below pre-conflict levels,” the group added.