A recent letter from prominent media executives has called for Israel to permit international journalists into Gaza, emphasizing the importance of transparent reporting during military actions and humanitarian efforts.

This situation is viewed as a direct assault on press freedom and the public's right to information.

The ongoing conflict, which escalated after the October 7 attacks by Hamas, has led to a significant military offensive by Israel in Gaza, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties and widespread destruction.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), at least 181 journalists have been killed in Gaza and Lebanon since the conflict intensified.

Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has referred incidents of violence against journalists to the International Criminal Court, seeking investigations into alleged war crimes by the Israeli army.

Thibaut Bruttin, director general of RSF, described the restrictions imposed on journalists as a systematic attempt to suppress facts and isolate Palestinian media.

Israel has accused Palestinian journalists of collaborating with Hamas, a claim that critics argue is aimed at stifling independent reporting from the region.

Concerns about journalist safety have heightened following the deaths of three Palestinian reporters during Israeli airstrikes near a hospital in east Gaza.

The ongoing media blockade is seen as a systematic effort by Israeli authorities to control information and silence the truth about the situation in Gaza, which violates international humanitarian law.

Since mid-May 2025, Israel has allowed a limited number of UN aid trucks into Gaza, but this assistance is described as insufficient compared to the needs of the 2.4 million residents facing famine.

The letter advocating for press access has garnered support from senior executives of major media organizations, including AFP and The Associated Press, as well as Haaretz's editor.

The signatories of the letter acknowledge the inherent risks of reporting from war zones, which journalists have historically accepted to document the impacts of conflict.