Gaza Receives Starlink Support amid Communication Blackout

Published: Sat 28 Oct 2023, 6:22 PM | Last updated: Sat 28 Oct 2023, 7:07 PM

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has extended a helping hand to the people of Gaza amid a blackout of communications caused by Israeli bombardment. Musk announced on Saturday that his satellite-based communications system, Starlink, will restore connections for aid organizations operating in the besieged Palestinian enclave.

Israel’s intensified bombardment knocked out communications lines in Gaza City, leaving 2.3 million people largely cut off from the outside world. This communication blackout not only caused panic among families unable to contact their loved ones but also critically affected humanitarian organizations operating in the city.

The UN agency for Palestinian refugees, which manages a significant network of shelters and schools for nearly half of Gaza’s displaced residents, and the World Health Organization (WHO) lost contact with their staff and facilities. US Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez highlighted the crisis on social media, prompting Musk to offer his support.

“Starlink will support connectivity to internationally recognized aid organizations in Gaza,” Musk stated.

Operated by Musk’s SpaceX, Starlink is the largest satellite constellation in the world that uses a low Earth orbit to deliver broadband internet. It promises high-speed, low-latency internet for users across the world. Reports indicate that Israel had previously been in talks with SpaceX regarding the use of Starlink services for wartime communications prior to its ground invasion in Gaza.

This development comes as a ray of hope for the people of Gaza, who are desperately in need of communication services to maintain contact with their loved ones and access vital information. The support from Starlink will play a crucial role in enabling humanitarian organizations to carry out their operations effectively in the midst of conflict.

(With inputs from ANI)