The United Kingdom became one of the 27 countries backing a statement calling for Israel to allow immediate, independent foreign media inside Gaza City. Other nations supporting the statement include France, Germany, Australia, and Japan. All these nations have signed the text released by the Media Freedom Coalition, an intergovernmental group that advocates for the rights and protection of journalists globally. The statement also condemned attacks on journalists, saying that those working in Gaza must be protected.

International media has been banned by Israel from entering the Gaza Strip independently since the beginning of the war nearly two years ago. Only some journalists have been granted access to Gaza via the Israel Defence Forces under controlled conditions.

Journalists Killed So Far in Gaza

Up till now, at least 192 journalists and media workers, the vast majority of them Palestinians, have been killed in the deadliest conflict for journalists ever documented, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ). In its statement, also the first of its kind to be made jointly by countries, the organization said that their call is in light of “the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe” and that they “oppose all attempts to restrict freedom and block entry to journalists.” The statement further said that deliberate targeting of journalists is unacceptable, and these attacks need to be investigated and followed up for prosecution.

The Israeli High Court of Justice last year restricted the entry of journalists, justifying it on grounds of security. The Foreign Press Association, representing journalists operating in Israel, petitioned the court to lift this ban. The association argued that the unprecedented restriction has hindered independent reporting.

For journalists located in Gaza, the situation remains dire as Israeli airstrikes and starvation continue. The only authentic information that comes out of Gaza City is via local reporters, who continue to provide coverage throughout the war directly on social media and for Palestinian or international media organizations.

One such latest attack on journalists occurred earlier this month when four Al Jazeera journalists, including prominent reporter Anas Al Sharif, were killed in an Israeli strike near Gaza City at Al Shifa Hospital. Two other freelancers, Moamen Aliwa and Mohammad Al Khaldi, lost their lives around the same time. The CPJ has said that Israel is failing to provide evidence to back up its reasons for attacking Sharif. According to the Israel Defense Forces, the attack on the hospital was targeted since it allegedly served as the headquarters of a Hamas cell.

Collective Voice of Journalists

Last month, Reuters, BBC, AFP, and AP issued a joint statement, expressing deep concern for journalists within the Gaza territory, who are increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families. More than 100 international organizations and human rights groups have warned of mass starvation in Gaza, which is equally being faced by journalists there.

Israel still controls the entry of aid supplies and other entities into Gaza. While the Israeli government says that these charities serve as propaganda tools for Hamas, its own government data shows that the amount of food allowed into the territory between March and July was significantly below what the World Food Programme (WFP) said was required for basic assistance.

Israel has begun the first stage of its planned offensive in Gaza City and has intentions to conquer the entire Gaza Strip after indirect talks with Hamas on a ceasefire and hostage release deal broke down last month. Israeli forces launched the campaign in response to the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and led to the capture of 251 Israeli nationals as hostages. Since then, at least 62,122 people have been killed in Gaza, according to the territory’s Health Ministry. These figures were quoted by the United Nations and others as the most reliable statistics available for one of the deadliest wars of the modern world.