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June 07, 2025 – Palestine/Israel –
In a sharply worded response, UN agency chief Philippe Lazzarini has denounced Israel’s continued prohibition on international journalists entering Gaza, calling it “a ban on the truth” and warning that it fosters misinformation, heightened polarization, and dehumanization. The ban, in effect since the outbreak of war, now surpassing 20 months, has drawn international condemnation from humanitarian groups and global media organizations.
Lazzarini emphasized the critical role of independent coverage, urging that international journalists be granted access to directly report from Gaza. He also stressed the need to support local Palestinian journalists, noting that nearly 200 media workers have been killed during the conflict. “International journalists must independently report from Gaza and support their Palestinian colleagues who continue to do a heroic job at a heavy price,” he asserted.
The ongoing ban effectively amounts to a media blackout, prompting fears that suppressing factual reporting will degrade global understanding of the humanitarian crisis. Lazzarini warned that limiting access fuels wartime propaganda and prevents accountability: “a perfect recipe to fuel misinformation, deepening polarization and dehumanization”.
UNRWA has also reiterated its call for Israeli cooperation regarding accusations made against the agency—allegations for which no credible evidence has been provided, despite multiple Israeli requests for clarification. The agency emphasized its unconditional commitment to its humanitarian mission: delivering essential services, especially as Gaza faces mounting food insecurity, infrastructure collapse, and reduced access to healthcare.
This confrontation comes amid intense global scrutiny. Humanitarian advocates argue that withholding international media obstructs transparency and erodes the international rule-based system, one intended to ensure conflict scrutiny and accountability.
Reference –
https://www.arabnews.com/node/2603753/middle-east
UNRWA slams Israeli ban on international journalists reporting on Gaza, calls to allow it to work
