Tel aviv: Twenty-eight countries, including Britain, France, and Germany, have called on Israel to grant “immediate access for independent foreign journalists” to the embattled Gaza Strip.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the nations issued a joint statement as members of the Media Freedom Coalition, emphasizing the critical role of journalists and media workers in documenting the harsh realities of war. The statement underscored the necessity of access to conflict zones to effectively fulfill this role and expressed opposition to any efforts to restrict press freedom during such conflicts.

The statement highlighted that since October 7, 2023, only a small number of foreign and Israeli journalists have been permitted to enter Gaza under strict military oversight. The Israeli government has maintained that the dangerous conditions in Gaza necessitate military escorts for journalists, a stance that has led to the rejection of requests for unrestricted media access.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously announced plans to increase the number of foreign journalists allowed into Gaza, yet the majority of journalists seek entry without the constraints of military accompaniment. The initial signatories to the statement include a diverse group of nations ranging from Australia to Ukraine, with Canada joining after the statement’s release. Notably, the United States did not align itself with the statement.

The Media Freedom Coalition’s statement also condemned acts of violence against journalists, citing the significant number of deaths, arrests, and detentions of media workers. Israel has been accused of targeting journalists in Gaza, although the Israeli army refutes such claims, arguing that many of those identified as journalists were actually affiliated with terrorist activities.

UN Secretary-General Ant³nio Guterres has reported that at least 242 journalists have lost their lives in Gaza since the onset of the conflict. The coalition’s statement called on Israel to ensure the safety and freedom of media workers in Gaza, Israel, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, along with advocating for an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages, the unhindered delivery of humanitarian aid, and a path towards a two-state solution and enduring peace.