An organization representing international media in Israel and the Palestinian territories on Friday urged Israel to grant journalists immediate, independent access to Gaza following the declaration of a ceasefire.
Since the Gaza war broke out in October 2023, Israeli authorities have prevented foreign journalists from entering the devastated territory, taking only a handful of reporters inside along with its troops.
The Foreign Press Association, which represents hundreds of foreign journalists, said it "welcomes the agreement between the warring parties on a ceasefire in Gaza".
"With the halt in fighting, we renew our urgent call for Israel to open the borders immediately and allow international media free and independent access to the Gaza Strip," it added.
An AFP journalist sits on the FPA's board of directors.
The FPA has on multiple occasions asked for access to Gaza over the past two years.
"These demands have been repeatedly ignored, while our Palestinian colleagues have risked their lives to provide tireless and brave reporting from Gaza," the association said.
On October 23, the country's top court is due to hear the FPA's petition demanding access, "but there is no reason to wait that long," it said.
"Enough with the excuses and delay tactics. The restrictions on press freedom must come to an end," it added.
On Friday, Israel declared a ceasefire and started pulling back troops from several areas in Gaza, as part of US President Donald Trump's 20-point plan to end the war.
The withdrawal set the clock running on a 72-hour deadline for Hamas to release all the remaining hostages held in Gaza.
In return, Israel will release 250 Palestinian prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans it detained since Hamas triggered the latest war with its attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.
With AFP
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