Israel tells Elon Musk Starlink can only operate in Gaza with its approval

Israel told Elon Musk his Starlink satellite network will only be allowed to operate in Gaza with Israel's approval, as the entrepreneur met the country’s leaders amid a furore over alleged antisemitism on his social platform X. Musk declared in late October 2023 that his satellite internet service Starlink would “support connectivity to internationally recognised aid organisations in Gaza”, which has suffered lengthy blackouts under Israel’s bombardment. But on November 27, Israeli communications minister Shlomo Karhi posted on X that Musk had “reach[ed] a principle understanding” with the ministry. “Starlink satellite units can only be operated in Israel with the approval of the Israeli Ministry of Communications, including the Gaza Strip,” Minister Karhi said. Musk’s initial commitment to enable Starlink in Gaza sparked a spat with the Israeli government, which argued the connectivity would be used by Hamas for “terrorist activities”.