An international media association has publicly condemned the Israeli government for maintaining its ban on unrestricted media access to Gaza, even after a ceasefire was declared in the region. The Foreign Press Association (FPA) issued a statement on January 2, 2025, expressing its “profound disappointment” with the government’s stance. Just two days prior, the Israeli government informed the Supreme Court that it intended to uphold the ban due to “security reasons.”
Since the outbreak of conflict in October 2023, Israel has prohibited foreign journalists from independently entering Gaza. This decision follows an FPA petition requesting free access for international media professionals to cover the situation in the heavily impacted area. The FPA represents journalists from various international news organizations operating in Israel, Gaza, and the occupied West Bank. In the wake of the government’s recent court submission, the FPA pledged to provide a “robust response” in the coming days.
The FPA criticized the Israeli government for failing to outline a practical plan for allowing journalists into Gaza, stating, “Instead of presenting a plan for allowing journalists into Gaza independently and letting us work alongside our brave Palestinian colleagues, the government has decided once again to lock us out. This comes even when a ceasefire is now in place.”
Israeli Government’s Position on Media Access
The Israeli government has permitted a limited number of journalists embedded with its military to work in Gaza under strict conditions. In its court submission, the government asserted that allowing wider media access could interfere with ongoing military operations, particularly the search for the remains of an Israeli captive.
The FPA’s petition, submitted to the court in September 2024, has encountered several extensions. Last month, the court set January 4, 2025, as a final deadline for the government to devise a comprehensive plan for media access to Gaza.
The issue of journalist safety in the region is critical. The International Federation of Journalists has reported that Palestine became the deadliest place for journalists in 2025, with 56 Palestinian media professionals killed throughout the year. Since the conflict began, nearly 300 journalists and media workers have lost their lives in Gaza, according to Shireen.ps, a monitoring website named after the late Al Jazeera correspondent Shireen Abu Akleh, who was killed in the occupied West Bank in 2022.
The FPA’s ongoing efforts to secure media access in Gaza underscore the vital role of independent journalism in conflict zones. As the situation evolves, the association remains committed to advocating for the rights of journalists and ensuring that their voices are heard amidst the turmoil.
