The United Kingdom supports the joint appeal for Israel to authorize foreign media in Gaza

The United Kingdom is one of the 27 countries supporting a declaration calling for Israel to allow Gaza to immediate access to the media in Gaza.

France, Germany, Australia and Japan have also signed the text published by the Media Freedom Coalition – an intergovernmental group which defends the rights and the protection of journalists around the world.

The declaration also condemned attacks on journalists, saying that those working in Gaza must be protected.

International journalists were prohibited by Israel from entering the Gaza Strip since the start of the war almost two years ago. Some journalists were taken to Gaza by the FDI under controlled access.

At least 192 journalists and media workers, the vast majority of them Palestinians have been killed since then in the deadliest conflict for journalists ever documented, according to the Committee to protect journalists (CPJ).

Thursday’s declaration, the first of its kind to be made jointly by the countries, says that their call is in the light of “the humanitarian disaster that takes place”, adding that they “oppose all attempts to restrict press freedom and block entry to journalists”.

He indicates that “deliberate targeting of journalists” is unacceptable, calling for all attacks to investigate and follow by prosecution.

The last attack of this type took place earlier this month when four journalists from Al Jazeera, including eminent journalist Anas Al-Sharif, were killed in an Israeli strike targeted near the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City.

Sharif and another correspondent, Mohammed Qreiqeh, with Cameramen Ibrahim Zaher and Mohammed Noufal, were in a tent for journalists at the main door of the hospital when he was struck, the broadcaster said at the time.

Two other independent journalists were killed – Moamin Aliwa and Mohammed al -Khaldi.

Israeli defense forces (FDI) confirmed that it had targeted Sharif, alleging that he had “been at the head of a terrorist cell in Hamas”.

However, the CPJ said that Israel had not provided evidence to support its allegations. Al Jazeera also denied Israeli complaints.

No international journalist authorized in Gaza, local journalists continued throughout the war to ensure coverage directly on social networks and work for Palestinian or international media organizations.

Last year, the High Court of Justice of Israel judged that the restrictions at the entrance were justified for security reasons. The Foreign Press Association, which represents journalists operating in Israel, asked the court to raise the ban, arguing that “unprecedented restrictions” had “hampered independent reports”.

For journalists still in Gaza, the situation is disastrous. In addition to Israeli air strikes, many have faced the threat of famine.

Last month, the BBC and the three press agencies – Reuters, AP and AFP – published a joint declaration expressing a “desperate concern” for journalists in the territory, who, according to them, are increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families.

More than 100 international aid organizations and human rights groups have warned against mass famine in Gaza.

Israel, which controls the entry of aid supplies to Gaza, accused the charity of “serving propaganda of Hamas”. But her own government figures show that the amount of food it has authorized in the territory between March and July was significantly lower than the World Food Program (WFP) according to even basic assistance needs.

There are more fears about the Palestinians after the Israeli army began the first stages of an offensive on the land provided in Gaza City.

The Israeli government has announced its intention to conquer the entire Gaza Strip after indirect discussions with Hamas on a cease-fire and hostage release contract broke up last month.

The Israeli army launched a campaign in Gaza in response to the attack by Hamas against southern Israel on October 7, 2023, during which around 1,200 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage.

At least 62,122 people have been killed in Gaza since then, according to the Ministry of Health in the territory. The ministry’s figures are cited by the UN and the others as the most reliable source of statistics available on the victims.