On October 28, 2023, Elon Musk announced that SpaceX’s Starlink will provide communication links in Gaza with “internationally recognized aid organizations.” Such a move provoked a fierce response from Israel’s communication minister Shlomo Karhi, who vowed to oppose this move.
In a post on X. Musk said that it was unclear who has the power for establishing ground links in Gaza, but did indicate that the company knows that “no terminal has requested a connection in that area.”
On October 28, the Gaza Strip suffered an Internet and telephone blackout that effectively disconnected it from the rest of the world.
Technically, the blackout started on May 27, which threw a wrench in life-saving operations conducted by international humanitarian organizations and impeded contact with staff in Gaza.