Israel slams Elon Musk's Starlink plan for Gaza connectivity

TEL AVIV: Israel has denounced a proposal by Elon Musk to provide internet

connectivity

to aid organisations in Gaza, saying Hamas would take advantage.
With electricity and internet connectivity nearly non-existent, Musk said on X, "

Starlink

will support connectivity to internationally recognized aid organizations in Gaza."
Musk's announcement comes in response to a statement by United States Rep.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez that cutting off communications in Gaza was “unacceptable.”
Starlink is a constellation of satellites providing internet connectivity in more than 60 countries, in areas with limited telecommunications infrastructure. Musk's California-based SpaceX spacecraft manufacturer operates StarLink, a launch service provider.

Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi criticised the idea on X.
"Israel will use all means at its disposal to fight this. HAMAS will use it for terrorist activities. There is no doubt about it, we know it, and Musk knows it. HAMAS is ISIS," Karhi wrote, adding, "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."

Israel on Friday knocked out internet and communications in the Gaza Strip in stepped-up bombardment.
Around 2.3 million people are cut off from the outside world which is creating a near-blackout of information, as the military said it was “expanding” ground operations in the territory.