The leaders of major media companies around the world are calling on Israel’s government to lift a ban keeping foreign journalists from being able to independently enter and report from Gaza, a barrier that has been in place since the war’s start in 2023 and continues even as a ceasefire has been in place for more than six months. The statement from executives said that being on the ground is essential, and it should allow journalists to question official accounts on all sides, to speak directly with civilians and to report back what they witness firsthand. Top editors of more than two dozen world-leading media houses, including news agencies, said the Israeli government has so far not responded to their efforts to discuss the situation. 

 

Initially, Israel said the ban was necessary because foreign journalists allowed into Gaza could give away the positions of Israeli soldiers and endanger them.