In a bid to enhance security for United Nations aid workers in Gaza, Israel and the UN are in discussions to implement Elon Musk‘s SpaceX Starlink satellite communications system in the region.
What Happened: The potential deployment of Starlink in Gaza is part of a broader strategy to ensure the safety of UN aid workers in the area, Axios reported on Wednesday, citing three Israeli officials and one UN official.
The move is a response to the escalating security risks faced by UN workers, who have been targeted by Israeli airstrikes and Palestinian militants.
The UN has indicated that the Starlink system is a prerequisite for the full resumption of aid distribution across Gaza. However, Israel is apprehensive that the system could be exploited by Hamas, potentially complicating Israeli intelligence’s monitoring of the group’s communications and increasing the risk of coordinated attacks on Israel.
The UN scaled back its operations in Gaza in June due to the heightened security threats faced by its workers. This decision led to a significant reduction in aid reaching Palestinians in Gaza, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
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Behind the scenes, the Israeli government interpreted the UN’s aid suspension as a political maneuver aimed at increasing pressure on Israel to end the conflict. The Biden administration has attempted to mediate between the two parties, acknowledging the UN’s security concerns while working towards a solution.
During discussions, the UN requested to deploy the Starlink communications system at its Gaza headquarters to improve radio and mobile phone communications for its staff.
Starlink did not immediately respond to Benzinga's request for comment.
Why It Matters: Starlink is projected to rake in $6.6 billion in revenue by 2024, underscoring its rapid growth and the increasing reliance on satellite internet services globally. Despite initial skepticism, Musk’s satellite internet service has outperformed expectations, providing internet access to over 2.7 million subscribers across 75 countries.
In June, Musk responded to requests from Kenya to make Starlink more affordable amid political unrest, indicating the system’s adaptability to various global crises. This adaptability is crucial for its potential deployment in Gaza, where reliable communication is vital for aid operations.
In February, Starlink was approved for use in a field hospital in Gaza, enabling real-time remote diagnostics and video conferencing with other medical facilities. This approval marked a significant step in leveraging satellite internet for humanitarian purposes.
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This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Kaustubh Bagalkote
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