AFP, AP, Reuters and the BBC on Thursday called on Israel to allow journalists in and out of Gaza, warning that local reporters face hunger and growing risks. The agencies said journalism in the enclave is nearing "extinction".
Internationalnews agencies Agence France-Presse (AFP), Associated Press (AP) and Reuters as well as the BBC called onIsraelon Thursdaytoallowjournalists in and out ofGazawhich is subjecttoastrict blockade.
"We are desperately concerned for our journalists inGaza, who are increasingly unabletofeed themselves and their families," themediagroupssaid in a joint statement.
They added that "journalists endure many deprivations and hardships in war zones. We are deeply alarmed that the threat of starvation is now one of them."
"We once againurgethe Israeli authoritiestoallowjournalists in and out ofGaza. It is essential that adequate food supplies reach the people there," they concluded.
Read moreFRANCE 24, RFI among 130 press groups calling for immediate access to Gaza, journalist protection
WithGazasealed off, manymediagroupsaround the world depend on photo, video and text coverage of the conflict by Palestinian reporters working forinternationalnews agencies such as AFP.
Internationalcriticism is growing over the plight of the more than two million Palestinian civilians inGaza, where more than 100 aid and rightsgroupshavewarnedthat "mass starvation" is spreading.
Read moreMore than 100 aid groups warn 'mass starvation' spreading across Gaza
Since the war started following the unprecedented October 7, 2023 attack onIsraelby Palestinian militant group Hamas, journalists have been abletoenterGazaonly with the Israeli army and with strict military censorship rules.
Mediawatchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) said in early July that more than 200 journalists had been killed inGazasince the war began.
Evacuations
AFP news agency said this week it was concerned about "the appalling situation" faced by its staff in theGazaStrip, warning that their lives were in danger.
"We have no energy left duetohunger and lack of food," said Omar al-Qattaa, a 35-year-old AFP photographer shortlisted for aPulitzer Prizeearlier this year.
Israelsays humanitarian aid is being allowed in and accuses Hamas of exploiting civilian suffering, including by stealing food handoutstosell at inflated prices or shooting at those awaiting aid.
Witnesses andGaza's civil defence agency, however, have repeatedly accused Israeli forces of firing on aid seekers, with theUNsaying the military had killed more than 1,000 Palestinians tryingtoget food since late May.
AFP succeeded in evacuating eight staff members and their families fromGazabetween January and April 2024, after months of effort.
The agency and French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot had urgedIsraeltoallowAFP's freelancers and their familiestoleave the occupied coastal territory earlier this week.
The World Health Organization's chief warned on Wednesday of widespread starvation inGaza, saying food deliveries into the territory were "far below what is needed for the survival of the population".
'Extinction'
With foreign reporters prevented from enteringGazaand local reporters being killed repeatedly,Gazawas "a place where journalism itself is threatened with extinction", Reporters Without Borders warned in its 2024 annual report.
In some cases,Israelhas accused reporters of being "terror operatives", such as when it killed aGaza-basedAl Jazeerastaff journalist and freelancer last year allegations condemned by the Qatari news network.
Al Jazeera, which has been banned inIsrael, says the Israeli military has been targeting its staff since the start of the war because of the channel's coverage.
"We know that probably most journalists insideGazaare operating under the auspices of Hamas, and until Hamas is destroyed, they will not be allowedtoreport freely," Israeli government spokesman David Mercer told a press conference in December.
(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Originally published on France24
