Elon Musk has declined an invitation from a Hamas official to visit the Gaza Strip, amidst the ongoing violence and devastation in the region.
Elon Musk declines Hamas invite after meeting with Israeli leadership
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A Hamas official invited the renowned tech billionaire to witness firsthand the effects of the conflict in the Gaza Strip. In his response, Musk acknowledged the perilous situation in the region, expressing his belief in the potential for a prosperous Gaza but deeming the visit too risky under current circumstances.
“Seems a bit dangerous there right now, but I do believe that a long-term prosperous Gaza is good for all sides,” he wrote in a X post.
Musk’s response came a day after he visited Kfar Aza, a kibbutz targeted in a deadly attack by Hamas.
Accompanied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Musk was shown footage of the 7 October attacks, which resulted in numerous deaths and hostages captured, some of whom have since been released as part of a temporary ceasefire agreement.
During a live-streamed conversation on X with Netanyahu, Musk concurred with the Prime Minister’s view that peace and security necessitate the removal of Hamas, comparing the situation to historical events in Germany and Japan during World War II.
This conversation led to a significant development regarding Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink. Initially proposed to aid organisations in Gaza amid internet disruptions, concerns were raised about its potential use by Hamas.
An agreement was eventually reached, allowing Starlink’s use in Israel and Gaza only with the approval of the Israeli government.
Pro-Palestine protests break out in South Africa
In South Africa, over a thousand people gathered in Johannesburg’s Mary Fitzgerald Square to mark The International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People, on Wednesday.
Participants called for a ceasefire and an end to the occupation of Palestinian territories. The demonstration, involving various trade unions, civil society organisations, and political parties, culminated in a march through Johannesburg and a sit-in on Nelson Mandela Bridge, concluding at the Constitutional Court.
The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC) issued a statement underscoring the interconnected and interdependent nature of global struggles for justice, emphasising their commitment to solidarity with Palestine and oppressed people everywhere.
““We recognise our political, moral and, most importantly, human responsibility to stand in solidarity with Palestine, and with oppressed people everywhere. Our struggles are entirely interconnected and interdependent,” the statement read.
Similar protests were observed in various parts of Cape Town.