In a attaining response to concerns raised by US congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the visionary entrepreneur Elon Musk announced that Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by SpaceX, will extend its connectivity to Gaza. The move comes in the wake of an internet blackout in the region, coinciding with intensified Israeli airstrikes.

Highlights:

• Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX, will provide connectivity to humanitarian groups in Gaza, the billionaire entrepreneur announced on Saturday.
• The internet outage in Gaza was reported on Friday night as the Israeli forces intensified their bombardment of the area.
• The move comes in the wake of an internet blackout in the region, coinciding with intensified Israeli airstrikes.

AOC, as she's widely known, expressed her deep concern about the disconnection of communication to 2.2 million people in Gaza, deeming it "unacceptable." She stressed that this blackout not only jeopardized the lives of journalists, medical professionals, aid workers, and civilians but also hindered the critical operations of humanitarian organizations.

Elon Musk swiftly responded to her plea, assuring that Starlink would offer its support by providing connectivity to internationally recognized aid groups in Gaza. Starlink, the brainchild of SpaceX, is committed to providing fast and reliable internet access to remote corners of the world by deploying a vast array of satellites in orbit.

The internet outage in Gaza, coinciding with the heightened Israeli military actions, had dire consequences. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported disruptions to their emergency number 101, hindering their ability to dispatch ambulances to assist the injured. Moreover, they lost contact with their operations room and teams in Gaza due to the internet shutdown.

It's worth noting that Elon Musk has a history of stepping in during times of crisis. During the Russia-Ukraine conflict, SpaceX's Starlink played a crucial role in restoring communication infrastructure, aiding civilians and government officials. However, it did spark some controversy for not extending its services to Russian-occupied territories.

Musk has also faced scrutiny regarding Starlink's involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war, following allegations in Walter Isaacson's recent biography that he had ordered the shutdown of Starlink services during the Ukraine offensive.