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Washington, August 21, 2025 —
A group of 17 United States Senators has formally urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio to press the Israeli government to ensure the safety of journalists in Gaza and facilitate access for international media into the region. The appeal comes just one week after a tragic Israeli strike that resulted in the deaths of several journalists.
In their letter, the senators emphasized that “banning and censoring media organizations and targeting or threatening members of the press is unacceptable and must stop.” They called on the U.S. to make clear that these actions—especially amid conflict—cannot go unchecked.
The strike referenced in the letter reportedly killed four Al Jazeera journalists—including Qatari correspondent Anas al‑Sharif—as well as two freelance journalists. These deaths sparked a global outcry and intensified calls for protections for press freedom in Gaza.
Key Takeaways:
Urgent U.S. Demand: Senate leaders are pushing the State Department to formally request that Israel safeguard journalists and lift restrictions on media access in Gaza.
Context of Increased Risk: The appeal follows a significant and fatal strike on media personnel, prompting broader scrutiny of press safety in the conflict zone.
Global Implications: This development adds to mounting international pressure over media rights—especially as reports continue to emerge of journalists being targeted or restricted in Gaza.
The letter:
https://www.aljazeera.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/letter.pdf
References:
https://trt.global/world/article/5e6f3aad3fb9
