As an agreement between Israel and Hamas comes into force, leading to a ceasefire after two years of war and the release of the remaining hostages, the IPI global network calls for immediate, unrestricted access by international media to the Gaza Strip.
Since the beginning of the conflict in October 2023, Israel has largely barred international media from entering Gaza, despite direct calls for access. Palestinian journalists have carried the full burden of documenting and reporting this war, while also facing displacement, violence, and starvation.
More than 230 journalists and media workers have been killed since the start of this war, making this the deadliest conflict for journalists on record. Nearly all of those killed were Palestinian journalists killed by Israeli forces – many deliberately targeted.
We stand with the Foreign Press Association of Israel in demanding that Israel lift the ban on foreign reporters and allow free and unfettered access to Gaza as the ceasefire takes effect.
“Palestinian journalists have risked their lives bringing the world news and information from inside Gaza – demonstrating extraordinary bravery in exposing the atrocities of this war and under unimaginable conditions,” IPI Executive Director Scott Griffen said. “As a fragile ceasefire takes shape, we need as many journalists on the ground as possible to document conditions inside Gaza. This means immediate and unfettered access by international media.”