At Israeli Supreme Court hearing RSF condemns the ongoing ban on international journalists’ access to Gaza which violates international law

The hearing on the press' independent access to Gaza was held before the Israeli Supreme Court in Jerusalem on Monday 26 January. RSF, participating in the case as amicus curiae, was represented in the courtroom by its director general, Thibaut Bruttin, as well as by the NGO's Supreme Court lawyer, Michael Sfard.

In the amicus brief submitted to the court, RSF defended the public's right to information, while Michael Sfard warned the judges of the precedent that this situation could set for other conflicts. He also argued that a zoning system for granting access could be put in place, similar to the one used in Ukraine. Through its lawyer's statement, the Union of Journalists in Israel - also acting as amicus curiaein the appeal brought by the Foreign Press Association in Jerusalem (FPA) -defended the Israeli public's right to be informed.

The judges extensively questioned the lawyers of the various parties on the inconsistency between the access granted to humanitarian workers and that denied to journalists, as well as on the alleged risks that their presence would pose to Israeli troops. Jonathan Nadav, representing the State Attorney's Office, rejected any obligation under international law to allow journalists free access to the Gaza Strip, in clear contradiction with Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights - which affirm the right "to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers." The lawyer then defended the continuation of "embedded" coverage with the army, arguing that journalists' access to the Gaza Strip, under the supervision of the Israeli army, would be sufficient.

This limited access, which subjects journalists to strict conditions - granting them access only to locations that the army takes them to and nothing more, preventing them from coming into contact with the Palestinian population and thereby hindering their ability to report on events - has been deemed insufficient by RSF and cannot be considered as independent access.

Judge Ruth Ronnen reminded Jonathan Nadav, that the request concerned access beyond the "yellow line:" areas where Israeli troops are not stationed. On this matter, Jonathan Nadav requested a closed-door meeting with the judges in order to present them with a confidential document on the alleged danger faced by Israeli soldiers should the press be granted free access to the besieged enclave.

While the Israeli authorities announced on Sunday 25 January the possibility of a "limited reopening" of the Rafah crossing with Egypt, following the end of an ongoing military operation, Jonathan Nadav stated that he had no information regarding journalists' access via this crossing.

Two year-long media blockade: more than 220 Palestinian journalists killed

More than 220 journalists have been killed by the Israeli army in Gaza for more than two years, including three in January 2026, after the October 2025 ceasefire. At least 68 of these journalists were likely targeted or killed in the course of carrying out their work, according to RSF information. The NGO has submitted five complaints to the International Criminal Court (ICC)and has been calling for independent access to the Gaza Strip for international journalists since 2023.