‘High time’ for Israel to let foreign journalists into Gaza
The Foreign Press Association (FPA), which represents international media in Israel and the Palestinian territories, said it hopes Israel’s top court will support its petition to allow foreign reporters access to Gaza, which Israeli authorities have blocked since the start of the war.
“For over two years, Israel has blocked foreign reporters from going into the territory, greatly hindering the media’s ability to cover this devastating conflict,” the FPA said in a statement ahead of tomorrow’s hearing.
“We are pleased to finally have our day in court and hope the justices will swiftly approve our request to enter Gaza,” Tania Kraemer, chairperson of the FPA, said in the statement.
“It is high time for Israel to lift the closure and let us do our work alongside our Palestinian colleagues.”
While Israel has stopped foreign journalists from entering Gaza, its military has killed Palestinian journalists at a higher rate than in any other conflict. Since the war began, more than 270 media workers, including 10 Al Jazeera journalists, have been killed in the enclave.
Palestinians still going hungry in Gaza as Israel restricts aid
The aid is mainly being channeled into the central and southern parts of the Gaza Strip through the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing – that’s the only entry point for aid trucks.
When it comes to the northern part of Gaza, none of the crossings have been opened. For more than 50 days now, the Israeli military has imposed a complete blockade on these crossings, and none of the trucks are coming to this area.
Another key limiting factor to the entry of aid is the Israeli decision not to allow the agreed-upon number of trucks in. We’re talking about less than 300 trucks – close to 100, or 150.
It continues to be very difficult for people here, particularly those returning to their homes in Gaza City and the northern areas. Apart from the fact that they are lacking access to water, there’s no access to proper food.
Whatever is available is from business owners, the traders, who have been given permits from the Israeli military to get commercial items into the Gaza Strip. Despite the allusion that aid is “pouring” into Gaza, the reality on the ground is different, and people are still going hungry, unable to access food and water.
