Tel Aviv, 29 October 2023 (dpa/MIA) - Israel says it will prevent the use of the Starlink satellite communications system in Gaza, after an offer made by tech billionaire Elon Musk.

Musk said SpaceX's Starlink satellite communications system could help restore communications in Gaza interrupted amid Israel's bombardment.

"HAMAS will use it for terrorist activities," said Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi in a post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. "Perhaps Musk would be willing to condition it with the release of our abducted babies, sons, daughters, elderly people. All of them!"

Musk had said the satellite communications system to help restore interrupted communications for internationally recognized aid organizations active in Gaza, where communications were knocked out as Israel expanded its ground offensive in the narrow strip on Friday.