The Israeli army’s brutal bombardment in Gaza has resulted in the complete destruction of the communication system, leading to the suspension of aid activities. Elon Musk, through his company Starlink, has declared plans to offer internet services in Gaza using satellite technology.
Elon Musk’s comment was in response to a post by U.S. Congresswoman Alexandra Cortez on X.
Previously, Hossam Zamlat, the Palestinian Ambassador in the UK, shared on X that he had been attempting to reach his family in Gaza for several hours without success. He noted that all forms of communication and the Internet had been disrupted on the Israeli side.
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Elon Musk Launches Starlink Internet in Gaza
As the attacks persist and Gaza continues to face destruction from air, land, and sea, he questioned whether the international community would take action in response to the loss of additional innocent children, parents, and elders.
I have been trying to reach my family in Gaza for hours with no success. All telecommunications and internet have been cut, while Israeli strikes is literally destroying Gaza from air land and sea. How many more innocent people: children, parents and grandparents will be murdered…
— Husam Zomlot (@hzomlot) October 27, 2023
While sharing Hussam Zamlat’s message, American Congresswoman Alexandra Cortez emphasized that it is not tolerable to sever the communication channel for a population of 2.2 million. This action will have an impact on journalists, medical personnel, human rights workers, and innocent civilians.
Cutting off all communication to a population of 2.2 million is unacceptable. Journalists, medical professionals, humanitarian efforts, and innocents are all endangered.
I do not know how such an act can be defended. The United States has historically denounced this practice. https://t.co/L9iV7TSs2u
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) October 27, 2023
He additionally mentioned that he cannot comprehend how such an action can be justified; America has consistently denounced it.
In reply, Elon Musk re-shared and stated that ‘Starlink will assist in supplying internet to authorized aid organizations worldwide’.
Cutting off all communication to a population of 2.2 million is unacceptable. Journalists, medical professionals, humanitarian efforts, and innocents are all endangered.
I do not know how such an act can be defended. The United States has historically denounced this practice. https://t.co/L9iV7TSs2u
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) October 27, 2023
It is important to highlight that the Palestinian Telecommunication Company reports that the final remaining global cable has also been obliterated by the Israeli bombardment. As a result, Gaza’s link to the outside world has been severed.
Humanitarians and hospitals rely on vital telecommunications to provide relief in #Gaza.
All parties must protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including humanitarian and medical workers and assets.
Our latest update: https://t.co/Cj3QvUEqB3 pic.twitter.com/gR4gfB9j3s
— UN Humanitarian (@UNOCHA) October 28, 2023
The UN has also verified the inability to communicate with its personnel. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports a lack of communication with its humanitarian collaborators, including medical personnel in Gaza. They urgently call for safeguarding and ensuring full humanitarian passage for all civilians.
The UN Coordinator for Palestine, Lynn Hastings, also acknowledged the interruption of internet services in Gaza in their communication on X.
It is reported that landlines, internet, and mobile networks are down. Without communication, access to power, food, water, and medicine, hospitals and humanitarian efforts are severely hindered.
The Red Crescent in Palestine reported that they have lost communication with their Gaza teams. There is concern about their ability to deliver urgent medical aid. The emergency hotline, 101, in Gaza has also been impacted.
Palestinians across the globe are finding it challenging to get in touch with their relatives in Gaza.
The information blackout continues this morning and so does Israel’s bombardment of densely populated neighbourhoods of Gaza. pic.twitter.com/4mOqC2JgiM
— Hiba Zayadin (@ZayadinH) October 28, 2023
Human Rights Watch has stated that the shutdown of communication networks in Gaza is equivalent to extensive oppression, a suppression of information concealing acts of violence and breaches of human rights.