Ban on foreign journalists in Gaza remains in place despite ceasefire

Israel's ban on foreign journalists entering Gaza, imposed after Oct. 7, 2023, remains in effect while a Foreign Press Association petition is pending; after a Jan. 26 hearing the High Court gave the state until the end of March to file an update.

Israel's ban on independent foreign journalists entering the Gaza Strip, imposed after the Oct. 7, 2023 attacks, remains in place even as the Rafah crossing opened this week for returning Palestinians and a ceasefire continues. The Foreign Press Association in Israel (FPA) has challenged the restriction in the High Court of Justice; its second petition, filed in September 2024, is still under adjudication. Israeli officials told the court they consider Gaza too dangerous for independent reporting without military escorts and have organized supervised day trips for some reporters. With foreign correspondents barred, Palestinian journalists have been the primary source of on-the-ground reporting from the strip. Key facts: - The ban on independent foreign journalists has been in effect since Oct. 7, 2023 and remains in place. - The Foreign Press Association filed two petitions to Israel's High Court of Justice; the September 2024 petition is pending. - State attorneys told judges that security concerns make it risky for journalists to operate in Gaza without an Israeli army escort and presented classified material during court proceedings. - Following a Jan. 26 hearing, the court gave the state until the end of March to file an update before issuing any decision. Summary: The restriction means independent foreign reporters are not present on the ground in Gaza and Palestinian journalists are carrying much of the reporting. The High Court is reviewing the FPA's petition and has set an end-of-March deadline for the state to provide an update; a final decision is pending.