Since a fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip began on Friday, press freedom advocates and critics of Israel’s military actions have renewed calls for international media access to the region. These appeals include statements from prominent organizations, such as the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), which represents one of the largest Muslim civil rights groups in the United States.
In a statement released on Monday, CAIR urged American and international media outlets to demand direct and unsupervised access to Gaza following the agreement. The call comes as Hamas returned 20 hostages captured on October 7, 2023, and Israel released over 1,900 Palestinian prisoners, most of whom had been detained by Israeli forces over the past two years.
CAIR specifically called for journalists to seek access to the 1,700 Palestinians who were freed after being abducted by Israeli forces and reportedly subjected to torture in prisons under the jurisdiction of Itamar Ben-Gvir, Israel’s far-right minister of national security. The group emphasized the need for comprehensive coverage of the Palestinian experience during the conflict, noting that ignoring their suffering could create a biased narrative.
“Although many media outlets will understandably cover the release of Israeli hostages, it is important to also cover the stories of Palestinian civilians who were kidnapped and other Palestinian hostages who may not go free, such as Dr. Hussam Abu Safiya,” said CAIR. “Ignoring Palestinian suffering would give the appearance of bias and create a warped, one-sided image for the public.”
The organization also highlighted the importance of U.S. journalists overcoming what it described as Israeli government efforts to obscure the consequences of the U.S.-funded devastation in Gaza. CAIR stressed that reporters must be granted immediate access to the region to witness and report on the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed last week that he had brokered a peace deal between Israel and Hamas, though his involvement remains disputed. On Monday, Trump addressed Israeli lawmakers and signed a peace document alongside leaders from Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey. However, the details of the agreement remain unclear, and its effectiveness is yet to be determined.
A recent report by the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and the Costs of War Project at Brown University revealed that the Trump and Biden administrations have provided at least $21.7 billion in military aid to Israel since October 2023. The ongoing Israeli offensive in Gaza, widely condemned as a genocide, has resulted in the deaths of at least 67,869 Palestinians and wounded 170,105 others, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Thousands remain unaccounted for, with experts suggesting the actual numbers are significantly higher.
Among the casualties are hundreds of Palestinian journalists who have risked their lives to report on the war, despite Israel’s restrictions on foreign media access to the territory. Over 200 journalists have been killed by Israeli forces, and those still in Gaza face dire conditions, requiring urgent support and protection.
One of the recently deceased was Saleh al-Jafarawi, a Palestinian reporter and content creator killed on Sunday. According to The New Arab, he was buried on the same day his brother, Naji al-Jafarawi, was released from an Israeli prison as part of a prisoner exchange. After his death, social media users shared a video of Saleh welcoming the ceasefire that began on Friday.
Jonathan Dagher, head of the Middle East Desk at Reporters Without Borders (RSF), warned that the temporary pause in hostilities should not overshadow the urgent need for action regarding the plight of journalists in Gaza. He stated that over 200 journalists have been killed by Israeli forces, and those remaining require immediate care, equipment, and justice.
“We demand arrest warrants for the perpetrators of crimes against our fellow journalists in Gaza,” Dagher said. “To bring justice to Gaza’s reporters and protect the right to information globally, we must act now.”
RSF has filed five complaints with the International Criminal Court (ICC) since October 2023, seeking accountability for alleged war crimes committed against journalists. Dagher urged the international community to match the courage shown by Palestinian reporters over the past two years.
The Foreign Press Association (FPA) in Jerusalem also issued a statement on Friday, expressing support for the ceasefire but reiterating its long-standing demand for unrestricted access to Gaza. The group criticized Israel’s continued restrictions on press freedom, calling for an end to delays and excuses.
“The FPA and its members have asked, through all channels, to be let into Gaza to report on the reality of the war,” the statement read. “These demands have been repeatedly ignored, while our Palestinian colleagues have risked their lives to provide tireless and brave reporting from Gaza.”
The FPA also noted that Israel’s Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in a related case next week, but called for immediate action. “Enough with the excuses and delay tactics. The restrictions on press freedom must come to an end.”
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