The Foreign Press Association expresses its shock and profound disappointment that nine months into a devastating war, Israel continues to bar independent access for the international media from Gaza.

Never before has Israel enforced such a long and strict information blackout. It has repeatedly rejected our appeals for access, fought us in court to uphold this draconian ban and offered just a handful of highly controlled “embed” opportunities for a small number of our members.

At the same time, Palestinian journalists inside Gaza continue to face unprecedented threats and restrictions on movement as they courageously try to cover this story.

It raises questions about what Israel doesn’t want international journalists to see.

We once again call on Israel to allow international journalists unfettered and independent access to Gaza.

The Board of the Foreign Press Association in Israel and the Palestinian Territories