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Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX, announced on Saturday that he would provide Starlink internet coverage to internationally recognized aid organizations in Gaza. This comes in response to Israel’s decision to cut off communication to the region, which has left the civilians of Gaza in a state of “communications blackout.”

Aid groups, journalists, and civil organizations have all reported losing contact with their people on the ground, making it difficult to assess the current situation and provide assistance. The loss of communication has raised concerns about the safety of civilians and the ability to address immediate health risks.

In a tweet, congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez criticized Israel’s decision, stating that cutting off communication to a population of 2.2 million is unacceptable and endangers journalists, medical professionals, humanitarian efforts, and innocent people. Musk responded to her tweet by announcing that Starlink would support connectivity to internationally recognized aid organizations in Gaza.

Starlink, a satellite internet constellation, was launched by SpaceX in 2019 and currently consists of over 5,000 installations. Musk had previously offered Starlink’s services to Ukraine in 2022 following the Russian invasion of the country.

It remains unclear if the aid organizations operating in Gaza, such as the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) and the Palestine Children’s Relief Fund (PCRF), have the necessary technology to connect to Starlink at this time. However, Musk’s offer provides hope for improved communication and access to vital services for the people of Gaza during this challenging time.

Overall, Musk’s decision to offer Starlink satellite internet to aid organizations in Gaza aims to support connectivity and address the critical needs of the region’s population amidst the ongoing conflict.

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