Israel’s heat wave, Turkey’s earthquake defines a turbulent day in Middle East – Firstpost

Starlink initiates service in Israel, excluding the West Bank and Gaza

Elon Musk’s StarLink satellite internet service has launched in Israel, but its coverage excludes the Palestinian territories of Gaza and the West Bank (referred to by the source as Judea and Samaria), as well as the Jordan Valley, according to a report in Israel National News. This policy decision, not a technical limitation, affects connectivity for millions of Palestinians and over half a million Israeli settlers residing in those areas. The move highlights the significant operational and political challenges global technology firms face in contested regions, balancing host-country regulations, such as Israel’s control over telecommunications licensing, with international calls for digital access. The exclusion has direct implications for humanitarian aid organisations operating in Gaza, which rely on stable communications, and exacerbates the existing digital divide for Palestinian residents.