Global Press Outcry: Demand Israel Grant Gaza Access

Global Press Agencies Urge Israel to Permit Journalists in Gaza

International media groups—AFP, AP, Reuters, and the BBC—released a joint statement on Thursday demanding that Israel allow reporters to enter and exit the Gaza Strip, which is under a strict blockade. The agencies expressed profound concern for journalists who are increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families.

Key Points from the Joint Statement

• Starvation Threat – Journalists in war zones face many hardships; the threat of starvation is now a major concern.
• Access Urged – The agencies again urged Israeli authorities to permit journalists in and out of Gaza.
• Food Supplies Needed – It is essential that adequate food supplies reach the people there.

Context: Gaza’s Blockade and Humanitarian Crisis

Gaza is sealed off, and many media groups worldwide depend on Palestinian reporters to provide photo, video, and text coverage to international agencies such as AFP. More than 100 aid and rights groups have warned that “mass starvation” is spreading among the more than two million civilians in Gaza.

Since the conflict began after the October 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, a small number of journalists have entered Gaza only with the Israeli army and under strict military censorship rules. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reported in early July that more than 200 journalists had been killed in Gaza since the war started.

Documentation of Life Inside Gaza

AFP has published accounts from its reporters this week, highlighting the “appalling situation” they face due to a daily struggle to find food. Omar al‑Qattaa, a 35‑year‑old AFP photographer shortlisted for a Pulitzer Prize earlier this year, stated:

“We have no energy left due to hunger and lack of food.”

Video journalist Youssef Hassouna added:

“Obtaining food in Gaza is extremely difficult. Even when it is available, prices are multiplied by 100.”

Israel’s Claims and WHO’s Warning

Israel says humanitarian aid is being allowed in and accuses Hamas of exploiting civilian suffering, including by stealing food handouts to sell at inflated prices or shooting at those awaiting aid. The World Health Organization’s chief warned on Wednesday of widespread starvation in Gaza, saying food deliveries into the territory were “far below what is needed for the survival of the population.”

UN and Civil Defence Accusations

Witnesses and Gaza’s civil defence agency have repeatedly accused Israeli forces of firing on aid seekers. The UN said the military had killed more than 1,000 Palestinians trying to get food since late May.

AFP’s Evacuation Efforts

AFP succeeded in evacuating eight staff members and their families from Gaza between January and April 2024, after months of effort.

The “Starving” Journalists – A Media Freedom Perspective

Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Statement

The New York–based CPJ said on Wednesday that Israel was “starving Gazan journalists into silence.” CPJ regional director Sara Qudah was quoted as saying:

“They are not just reporters, they are frontline witnesses, abandoned as international media were pulled out and denied entry.”

Many Palestinian journalists have spoken out about their exhaustion, with Sally Thabet, a correspondent for Al‑Kofiya satellite channel, fainting after a live broadcast this week, as reported by CPJ.

Al Jazeera’s Call for Global Action

Doha‑based Al Jazeera, the most influential Arabic media group, also called for global action to protect Gaza’s journalists on Tuesday. The channel, which is banned in Israel, has had five of its reporters killed since the start of the conflict, which it says is a deliberate targeting campaign by Israel.

Allegations of “Terror Operatives” and Forced Silence

In some cases, Israel has accused reporters of being “terror operatives,” such as when it killed a Gaza‑based Al Jazeera staff journalist and freelancer last year. These allegations were condemned by the Qatari news network.

Israeli Government’s Stance

Israeli government spokesman David Mercer told a press conference last December:

“We know that probably most journalists inside Gaza are operating under the auspices of Hamas, and until Hamas is destroyed, they will not be allowed to report freely.”

Conclusion

The escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza, the stringent blockade, and the silencing of journalists have drawn mounting international criticism. Media organizations worldwide maintain that permitting reporters into Gaza is essential for accurate coverage and for ensuring that the international community can respond effectively to the severe food shortages and broader humanitarian needs of the region.