Court: Israel must issue journalist notice

TT

Published 20.51

 

Border crossing between the Gaza Strip and Israel. Archive image. Photo: Mads Claus Rasmussen/AP/TT

Israel has refused to allow international journalists into Gaza for just over two years.

Now the country's Supreme Court has ruled that Israeli authorities must submit a plan by January 4 next year for when media can be allowed into the area.

Since the Hamas terror attack on October 7, 2023, Israel has refused to allow journalists into the Gaza Strip, with certain exceptions for those who allow themselves to be embedded with the Israeli military.

Last year, The Foreign Press Association (FPA) in Jerusalem filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court of Israel demanding immediate access to Gaza for reporters and photographers.

The first court hearing in the case was held in October, where Israeli authorities were given a month to submit a plan for when journalists would be allowed to enter. The deadline has since been extended, but on Sunday the High Court ruled that January 4 is the final date for submission.

“If the defendant (Israeli authorities) does not inform us of its position by then, a conditional decision will be made on the basis of the material available in the case,” the court wrote in its decision.