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December 21, 2025 – Palestine –
The Foreign Press Association (FPA) in Jerusalem has welcomed a decision by the Israeli Supreme Court to set a January 4, 2026, deadline for the government to respond to its petition demanding unfettered press access to the Gaza Strip, marking a significant development in ongoing disputes over media freedom and reporting amid the protracted conflict. The court-ordered deadline comes after more than two years of litigation and repeated government requests for extensions.
Since the outbreak of intense hostilities in October 2023, Israeli authorities have largely barred foreign journalists from independently entering Gaza, citing security concerns and military operational restrictions. Instead, international reporters have gained access only on a limited, case-by-case basis, often embedded with military units rather than as independent observers. This constraint has prompted sustained criticism from press freedom advocates who argue that independent reporting is essential to international public understanding of the humanitarian and security situation in the territory.
The FPA, which represents hundreds of international journalists operating in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, initially filed its petition in 2024 after extended delays by the state in addressing previous legal challenges. The Supreme Court’s latest directive, which moved the deadline from an earlier extended date to January 4, emphasises the court’s impatience with continued delays in formalising a government position on media access. Court officials indicated that if the state fails to respond by the set date, the judges could decide the case on the existing record, potentially opening the door to a legal order requiring broader press access.
In a statement welcoming the deadline, the FPA noted that “after two years of the state’s delay tactics, we are pleased that the court’s patience has finally run out,” and reiterated its call for immediate and free access for journalists to Gaza. The association urged that press freedoms be recognised and upheld, asserting that restrictions on media access undermine public awareness and accountability in one of the world’s most closely watched conflicts.
The court’s decision arrives amid broader scrutiny of media restrictions and legal challenges concerning information flow from Gaza, where journalists have faced severe risks, and concerns about civilian casualties and humanitarian conditions remain acute. As the January deadline approaches, international media organisations and press freedom advocates are watching closely for a formal governmental response that could shape coverage of the conflict in the months ahead.
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