The Media Freedom Coalition, representing over two dozen countries, has called on Israel to allow foreign journalists unrestricted access to Gaza and to ensure their safety as the humanitarian catastrophe in the besieged enclave worsens.
In a joint statement released on Thursday, the coalition—which includes Australia, Ireland, France, Canada, the United Kingdom, and several European and Asian nations—underscored the vital role of journalists in exposing the devastating human impact of war.
“Journalists and media workers play an essential role in putting the spotlight on the devastating reality of war. We oppose all attempts to restrict press freedom and block entry to journalists during conflicts,” the statement read.
The coalition strongly condemned Israel’s restrictions on press access and denounced the alarming number of fatalities, arrests, and detentions of journalists since the war began in October 2023. More than 270 journalists and media workers have been killed in Gaza over the past 22 months—an average of 13 each month.
Reiterating that international humanitarian law protects journalists as civilians, the coalition stressed that “deliberate targeting of journalists is unacceptable.” It demanded full investigations into all attacks on media professionals and accountability for those responsible.
The signatories also renewed calls for an immediate ceasefire, the unconditional release of hostages, unrestricted humanitarian aid, and a genuine roadmap towards a two-state solution to secure long-term peace and security in the region.
Israel has repeatedly faced criticism from global press freedom organizations for imposing a blackout on foreign media in Gaza, a move widely seen as an attempt to control the narrative and avoid scrutiny of its military actions.
According to Palestinian health authorities, the Israeli offensive on Gaza since October 2023 has killed at least 62,192 Palestinians and injured more than 157,114, with thousands still feared trapped under rubble amid relentless bombardment.
The coalition’s statement was endorsed by Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Sierra Leone, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
