In the days following Hamas’ deadly attack on October 7, 2023, a high-level effort emerged behind the scenes to bring Starlink connectivity to Israel—specifically to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). In a recent webinar, Silicon Valley venture capitalist Shaun Maguire shared how he helped Israel gain Starlink access during this critical period, marking the first time this connection has been publicly acknowledged.
The revelations came during a May 14 event titled “Why VCs Are Betting On Defense Tech,” hosted by the Israeli Defense Ministry’s startup investment wing, Mafat for Startups. Maguire was introduced by Israeli VC Avi Eyal, who recalled making a direct plea to Maguire for help. According to Eyal, he urgently contacted Maguire, saying, “We need to turn Starlink on immediately to help the Israeli military.” Maguire said Eyal reached out on October 9, and within 12 hours, they had begun facilitating the rollout of Starlink in Israel.
While the exact date Starlink was activated for the IDF remains unclear, both VCs described it as a fast-moving operation. Maguire said he helped connect Eyal with SpaceX’s head of country licensing and offered support as they worked through the early hurdles of deployment. Although formal government approval in Israel didn’t come until February 2024, the satellite service had reportedly already been aiding the IDF for months—without any Pentagon contract in place. Notably, the Pentagon had required a contract before SpaceX could provide Starlink to Ukraine.
Eyal called the initiative “a game changer,” underscoring how essential connectivity was in the aftermath of a national crisis. His firm, Entrée Capital, is an active player in Israeli tech, though it’s still unknown what formal role he played with the IDF at that time. What is clear is that both Maguire and Eyal mobilized personal networks to support Israel’s communications infrastructure during wartime.
Tensions Over Starlink in Gaza
As Starlink was quietly being made available to the Israeli military, a different story was unfolding in Gaza. On October 20, the IDF launched a targeted assault that disrupted internet and phone services for over two million residents in Gaza. In response, Elon Musk began discussions with the Israeli government about enabling Starlink for humanitarian relief organizations operating in Gaza.
The proposal immediately faced resistance. Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi publicly opposed it, warning that Hamas could exploit the network. He even suggested that any access to Starlink should be conditioned on the release of Israeli hostages. Musk pushed back, stating that no terminals had connected from Gaza and that any access would undergo rigorous security checks in cooperation with both U.S. and Israeli authorities.
The stalemate continued for months. It wasn’t until February 14, 2024, that the Israeli government confirmed limited approval for Starlink’s use. According to Karhi, the service would initially be deployed in controlled environments, including a UAE-run field hospital in Rafah, with a phased rollout planned for broader use.
Eyal hinted during the webinar that Starlink’s general availability in Israel is now just weeks away. Whether this expansion includes the occupied West Bank or Gaza remains uncertain.
Fallout and Ongoing Questions
Despite the clarity offered during the webinar, follow-up attempts to verify the timeline and Maguire’s role were met with pushback. Eyal insisted the webinar was meant to be off-the-record, though no such disclaimer was publicly visible. He rejected the accuracy of the dates and statements shared but refused to provide clarification after being offered the chance.
Neither SpaceX nor the Israeli government has publicly confirmed the timeline of events. The IDF and the Israeli Communications Ministry declined to comment.
Meanwhile, the toll of the war continues to grow. Over 1,180 Israelis were killed during the October 7 attack, with 251 taken hostage by Hamas. Many remain unaccounted for. In Gaza, local authorities estimate between 53,000 and 62,000 Palestinians have died as a result of Israeli military action. With aid blocked and conditions worsening, humanitarian groups warn of a looming catastrophe.
As Starlink expands its presence in conflict zones, its role in war, aid, and diplomacy continues to stir global debate.
