Billionaire and head of the social network X, Elon Musk, traveled to Israel during the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Musk is scheduled to speak to Israeli President Isaac Herzog about the online fight against anti-Semitism. Handout by Amos Ben-Gershom (GPO) via Getty Images
- An Israeli official said Elon Musk had agreed to terms for deploying Starlink satellites over Gaza.
- Starlink can only operate in Gaza with Israel’s consent, the official said.
- The deal, unconfirmed by Musk, comes after he visited Israel amid allegations of anti-Semitism.
Starlink can operate over Gaza, Israeli officials announced Monday, but only if the satellites are approved by Israel.
“Elon Musk, I congratulate you on reaching an agreement in principle with the Ministry of Communications under my leadership,” said Israel’s Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi. Posted on X. “As a result of this significant agreement, Starlink satellite units can operate in Israel only with the approval of the Israeli Ministry of Communications, including in the Gaza Strip.”
The deal, which has not been confirmed by either Musk or Starlink, would fulfill the billionaire’s offer to provide internet to “internationally recognized aid organizations” in Gaza, after Israel cut off communications and internet connectivity in the region when it declared the territory as Hamas bombed terrorist attacks in response to the October 7 terrorist attack.
Representatives for Starlink and Israel’s Ministry of Communications did not immediately respond to Business Insider’s requests for comment.
Musk was initially sharply criticized by Israel for his offer to provide an internet connection across Gaza. Karhi said at the time that Hamas would use the connection for terrorist activities and that “Israel will use all means at its disposal to combat the offer.”
The offer to deploy Starlink via Gaza, as well as the backlash from Israel, was followed by fierce opposition to Musk’s comments on X, which many described as anti-Semitic.
Musk responded to a post on the platform that said Jewish people were fomenting “hatred against white people” and criticized the political ideology of the “Western Jewish population.”
Business Insider previously reported that the post points to the “Great Replacement” conspiracy theory, which posits that non-white immigrants to Western countries are replacing the white population – a theory often cited against liberal Jews who support immigration.
“You told the actual truth,” Musk said replied to the post.
However, after Musk visited Israel on Monday during a four-day lull in Israel’s fight against Hamas, the Starlink deal – along with its contingencies based on Israeli approval of the devices – was announced by Israel. Musk has not yet commented on the announcement.
It remains unclear exactly when Starlink services might be available in the region.
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