Elon Musk’s Starlink internet service gets green light for hospitals in war-torn Gaza with Israel

Israel’s communications minister said on Wednesday that he had approved the operation of the communications. space xsatellite internet service and a field hospital in the war-torn Gaza Strip.

what happened: Israeli Minister of Communications Shlomo Kahi announced in a statement that Israeli security authorities have approved the provision of Starlink services at a UAE field hospital operated in the Palestinian city of Rafah. High-speed internet will enable video conferencing with other hospitals and real-time remote diagnosis.

SpaceX’s Starlink has also been approved for operation in Israel, allowing local governments and government agencies to continue accessing the internet even if wired or mobile internet service is disrupted, the statement said. He added that while Starlink’s use will be limited initially, broader use is expected in the future.

However, Karhi added that future satellite forces in Gaza would only be approved separately after “careful approval” by Israeli security forces that they would not be used by Palestinian forces.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk On Wednesday, he said he was very grateful for Israel’s recognition. “It is our desire to help both the people of Israel and, with great care, the innocent civilians of Gaza,” Musk said.

Why it’s important: The ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas began on October 7 when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing 1,200 people. Since then, Israeli military operations have killed more than 28,000 Palestinians and injured 68,000 others.

According to preliminary reports, Israeli forces are planning an attack on Hamas in Rafah, where hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians have taken refuge.

Photo by Rokas Tenys on Shutterstock

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