The United Kingdom has joined 26 other nations in demanding that Israel grant international journalists immediate access to Gaza to report on the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The joint statement, issued by the Media Freedom Coalition (MFC), calls for an end to the blockade on foreign media and protection for journalists operating in the region.
Signatories include Germany, Australia, and Ukraine, among others. The statement highlights the essential role of journalists in documenting the realities of war and opposes any attempts to restrict press freedom. It condemns the alleged targeting of media workers, noting that at least 192 journalists and media staff have been killed since the conflict began.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) reports that this period is the deadliest for journalists since 1992, with 130 additional cases under investigation. The statement follows an Israeli attack earlier this month that killed four Al Jazeera journalists and three others, prompting UN condemnation.
The MFC urges all parties to ensure journalists can work freely and safely, calls for investigations into attacks on media workers, and reiterates demands for an immediate ceasefire, release of hostages, and unimpeded humanitarian aid. News organisations, including the BBC, have also expressed deep concern over the safety and survival of journalists in Gaza.
