A Starlink satellite in orbit in 2021. The network could be used to improve the work of humanitarian agencies in Gaza. Photo: SpaceX
A Starlink satellite in orbit in 2021. The network could be used to improve the work of humanitarian agencies in Gaza. Photo: SpaceX
A Starlink satellite in orbit in 2021. The network could be used to improve the work of humanitarian agencies in Gaza. Photo: SpaceX
A Starlink satellite in orbit in 2021. The network could be used to improve the work of humanitarian agencies in Gaza. Photo: SpaceX

News

US

UN and Israel discuss using Elon Musk's Starlink in Gaza, report says

If agreed to, communications system could strengthen protection of humanitarian workers and streamline aid distribution

Adla Massoud
Adla Massoud
United Nations

July 03, 2024

  • English
  • Arabic

Live updates: Follow the latest news on Israel-Gaza

Israel and the UN are in negotiations to use Elon Musk's Starlink communications system in the Gaza Strip, according to a report from Axios.

If an agreement is reached, Starlink would be used to provide protection for humanitarian workers and streamline aid distribution throughout the enclave, Andrea Domenico, head of the UN Office for the Co-ordination of Humanitarian Affairs in the occupied Palestinian territories, said on Wednesday.

“Communication equipment has been a long-standing request of the humanitarian community as a whole,” Mr Domenico said in New York.

“Every time there is a military operation, we lose completely communication with our teams … the internet and connectivity is fundamental to the way we operate and function.”

Read More

'Maelstrom of human misery': More than 80% of Gazans now displaced, UN official says

UN aid distribution in Gaza has largely been suspended on safety grounds and obstruction by Israel.

Humanitarian agencies have had difficulty moving aid to areas farther into Gaza where aid is most needed because convoys have come under attack from Israeli warplanes and Palestinian gunmen.

In June, the world body paused distribution of food and emergency supplies arriving through the US-built temporary pier.

The pause came after the Israeli military used an area near the pier to fly out hostages after their rescue in a raid that killed more than 270 Palestinians, prompting a UN security review over concerns that aid workers’ safety and neutrality may have compromised.

The suspension significantly curtailed the flow of aid to Palestinians, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the enclave.

Mr Domenico stated that he has no preference between Starlink or any other technology, as long as the UN has the tools required to ensure safe and effective communication with their teams for safety and operational purposes.

According to Axios, Israel is concerned the system could fall into the hands of Hamas and make it more difficult for Israeli intelligence to monitor the group's communications, raising the risk of co-ordinated attacks by militants.

Countries drop aid into war-torn Gaza – in pictures

Humanitarian aid is dropped over Gaza from an RAF aircraft. AFP
Humanitarian aid is dropped over Gaza from an RAF aircraft. AFP
Maj Mohammed Bashabseh of Jordan's Royal Special Forces attempts to track the flight path, a task made difficult due to Israel's move to scramble GPS over Gaza. Matthew Kynaston / The National
Maj Mohammed Bashabseh of Jordan's Royal Special Forces attempts to track the flight path, a task made difficult due to Israel's move to scramble GPS over Gaza. Matthew Kynaston / The National
Humanitarian aid is dropped into the Gaza Strip. AFP
Humanitarian aid is dropped into the Gaza Strip. AFP
Jordan's air force is providing meals for hungry residents in the northern part of the enclave but the UN says land routes must be opened to avert famine. AFP
Jordan's air force is providing meals for hungry residents in the northern part of the enclave but the UN says land routes must be opened to avert famine. AFP
The aid drop carried out on Wednesday was the first flight the Jordanians had managed in three days. AFP
The aid drop carried out on Wednesday was the first flight the Jordanians had managed in three days. AFP
The RAF prepares to drop humanitarian packages over Gaza. PA
The RAF prepares to drop humanitarian packages over Gaza. PA
A US military aircraft full of relief parcels to be dropped by parachute into Gaza. Reuters
A US military aircraft full of relief parcels to be dropped by parachute into Gaza. Reuters
Aid agencies have warned that these aerial deliveries are only a drop in the ocean of the aid that is needed to avert famine. AFP
Aid agencies have warned that these aerial deliveries are only a drop in the ocean of the aid that is needed to avert famine. AFP
The UAE and Egypt combine to drop aid into northern Gaza. Wam
The UAE and Egypt combine to drop aid into northern Gaza. Wam
US air force members prepare to load relief pallets to be dropped into Gaza. Reuters
US air force members prepare to load relief pallets to be dropped into Gaza. Reuters
Since Jordan and the US began their drops at the beginning of March, Singapore, Belgium, France and the Netherlands have joined the campaign to deliver aid from the air. Reuters
Since Jordan and the US began their drops at the beginning of March, Singapore, Belgium, France and the Netherlands have joined the campaign to deliver aid from the air. Reuters
Belgian Air Force personnel load a cargo plane with humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians in Gaza, at the military airport in Melsbroek. AFP
Belgian Air Force personnel load a cargo plane with humanitarian aid for Palestinian civilians in Gaza, at the military airport in Melsbroek. AFP
A US Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft during an aid drop over the Gaza Strip. AFP
A US Air Force C-17 Globemaster aircraft during an aid drop over the Gaza Strip. AFP
A Royal Jordanian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft on its way to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. AFP
A Royal Jordanian Air Force C-130 Hercules aircraft on its way to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. AFP
ABU DHABI T10: DAY TWO

Bangla Tigers v Deccan Gladiators (3.30pm)

Delhi Bulls v Karnataka Tuskers (5.45pm)

Northern Warriors v Qalandars (8.00pm)

Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The Indo-Pacific
Saudi National Day
On Women's Day
Towering concerns

500 People from Gaza enter France

115 Special programme for artists

25   Evacuation of injured and sick

Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

The Settlers

Director: Louis Theroux

Starring: Daniella Weiss, Ari Abramowitz

Rating: 5/5

Profile of Udrive

Date started: March 2016

Founder: Hasib Khan

Based: Dubai

Employees: 40

Amount raised (to date): $3.25m – $750,000 seed funding in 2017 and a Seed round of $2.5m last year. Raised $1.3m from Eureeca investors in January 2021 as part of a Series A round with a $5m target.

On Women's Day
While you're here
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20Z%20FLIP%204
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMain%20%E2%80%93%206.7%22%20FHD%20Dynamic%20Amoled%202X%2C%202640%20x%201080%2C%2022%3A9%2C%20425ppi%2C%20HDR10%2B%2C%20up%20to%20120Hz%3B%20cover%20%E2%80%93%201.9%22%20Super%20Amoled%2C%20512%20x%20260%2C%20302ppi%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Qualcomm%20Snapdragon%208%2B%20Gen%201%2C%204nm%2C%20octa-core%3B%20Adreno%20730%20GPU%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECapacity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20128%2F256%2F512GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPlatform%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Android%2012%2C%20One%20UI%204.1.1%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMain%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dual%2012MP%20ultra-wide%20(f%2F2.2)%20%2B%2012MP%20wide%20(f%2F1.8)%2C%20OIS%2C%20portrait%2C%20super%20slo-mo%2C%20hyperlapse%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204K%4030%2F60fps%2C%20full-HD%4030%2F60fps%2C%20HD%4030fps%3B%20slo-mo%40240%2F960fps%3B%20HDR10%2B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFront%20camera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2010MP%20(f%2F2.4)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203700mAh%2C%2025W%20fast%20charging%2C%2015W%20wireless%20charging%2C%20reverse%20wireless%20charging%2C%20'all-day'%20life%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205G%3B%20Wi-Fi%2C%20Bluetooth%205.2%2C%20NFC%20(Samsung%20Pay)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20USB-C%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECards%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Nano-SIM%20%2B%20eSIM%3B%20no%20microSD%20slot%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Bora%20purple%2C%20graphite%2C%20pink%20gold%2C%20blue%3B%20Bespoke%20Edition%20in%20select%20countries%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Flip%204%2C%20USB-C-to-USB-C%20cable%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dh3%2C799%20%2F%20Dh3%2C999%20%2F%20Dh4%2C449%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

The Birkin bag is made by Hermès. 
It is named after actress and singer Jane Birkin
Noone from Hermès will go on record to say how much a new Birkin costs, how long one would have to wait to get one, and how many bags are actually made each year.

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo

Power: 258hp from 5,000-6,500rpm

Torque: 400Nm from 1,550-4,000rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.1L/100km

Price: from Dh362,500

On sale: now

The biog

Name: Younis Al Balooshi

Nationality: Emirati

Education: Doctorate degree in forensic medicine at the University of Bonn

Hobbies: Drawing and reading books about graphic design

The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

The Pope's itinerary

Sunday, February 3, 2019 - Rome to Abu Dhabi
1pm: departure by plane from Rome / Fiumicino to Abu Dhabi
10pm: arrival at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport


Monday, February 4
12pm: welcome ceremony at the main entrance of the Presidential Palace
12.20pm: visit Abu Dhabi Crown Prince at Presidential Palace
5pm: private meeting with Muslim Council of Elders at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque
6.10pm: Inter-religious in the Founder's Memorial


Tuesday, February 5 - Abu Dhabi to Rome
9.15am: private visit to undisclosed cathedral
10.30am: public mass at Zayed Sports City – with a homily by Pope Francis
12.40pm: farewell at Abu Dhabi Presidential Airport
1pm: departure by plane to Rome
5pm: arrival at the Rome / Ciampino International Airport

And%20Just%20Like%20That...
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Various%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Sarah%20Jessica%20Parker%2C%20Cynthia%20Nixon%2C%20Kristin%20Davis%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Updated: July 03, 2024, 3:55 PM`
UNIsraelElon MuskGaza