The press freedom group Reporters sans frontières (RSF) has published an open letter signed by 136 human rights organisations and media groups, including RFI, calling for immediate, independent, and unrestricted access for international journalists to the Gaza Strip.
The demand comes amid escalating military operations and mounting concerns over the safety of local journalists and the suppression of information from the besieged territory.
Since October 2023, Israeli authorities have barred foreign journalists from entering Gaza—a move that media organisations describe as unprecedented in the context of modern warfare.
With access tightly controlled, the global media has been unable to independently verify events on the ground, raising serious concerns about transparency, accountability, and the public’s right to information.
Palestinian journalists killed
Local journalists have borne the brunt of the conflict. According to press freedom monitors, nearly 200 Palestinian journalists have been killed since the start of the war, with many more injured or operating under constant threat.
French journalists' collective appeals for solidarity with colleagues in Gaza
Reporters inside Gaza are working amid widespread displacement, food shortages and communication blackouts, often risking their lives to document the unfolding crisis.
Journalist safety and press access are protected under international humanitarian law, including the Geneva Conventions, which classify journalists in conflict zones as civilians and prohibit targeting them.
Advocates are urging Israel to comply with these legal obligations and to open its borders to international media.
RSF says Israel responsible for one-third of journalist deaths in 2024
“At this pivotal moment, with renewed military action and efforts to resume the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza,” the letter reads, “it is vital that Israel open Gaza’s borders for international journalists to be able to report freely and that Israel abides by its international obligations to protect journalists as civilians."
Independent reporting essential
The call for access comes as renewed military actions take place in the region and humanitarian agencies struggle to deliver aid to civilians.
Media organisations say that independent reporting is essential to understanding the scope of the crisis and ensuring global awareness of its human impact.
Despite the dangers, local journalists in Gaza continue to report from the ground, often using limited tools and under severe threat. Their work, say advocates, underscores the urgent need for global media presence to amplify their efforts and ensure accountability.
The international community is being urged to pressure Israeli authorities to lift restrictions and allow journalists to enter Gaza freely. Until then, concerns over censorship, misinformation, and the erasure of on-the-ground realities are likely to intensify.
