Israel approves Starlink services in Gaza and Israel
"The Israeli security authorities approved the provision of Starlink services at the UAE's field hospital operating in Rafah," the Communications Ministry said in a statement
The Israeli government said on Wednesday it has approved the use of Starlink satellite services in a field hospital in the war-battered Gaza Strip, and in Israel for the first time.
"The Israeli security authorities approved the provision of Starlink services at the UAE's field hospital operating in Rafah," the Communications Ministry said in a statement.
"Starlink low-latency, high-speed connections will enable video conferencing with other hospitals and real-time remote diagnostics," it said.
The Communications Ministry also said that Starlink - the satellite network of billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk and the world's largest satellite operator - will be enabled in Israel for the first time. "The use of the company's services will be limited at first with broader use expected in the future."
Musk said in a posting on his social media platform X that he greatly appreciated Israel's move, saying he hoped it would help both Israelis and Palestinian civilians in Gaza.
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Musk proposed last year using Starlink to support communication links in the blackout-hit Gaza enclave with "internationally recognized aid organizations".
At the time, Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi objected, saying "Hamas will use it (Starlink) for terrorist activities.”
But following Musk’s visit to Israel in November, Karhi said Israel and Musk had reached an agreement in principle whereby "Starlink satellite units can only be operated in Israel with the approval of the Israeli Ministry of Communications, including the Gaza Strip.”
