High Court gives state 30 more days to respond to petition on media access to Gaza

After a brief hearing, the High Court of Justice gives the state another 30 days to file an update on its position on the independent entry of journalists into the Gaza Strip, in response to a 2024 petition by the Foreign Press Association (FPA) demanding such access.

During the short hearing, the three presiding judges all point out that the circumstances in Gaza had changed substantially due to the ceasefire that came into force earlier this month, with Judge Ruth Ronen saying this would require a new review of the situation.

The basis of the state’s arguments against allowing independent access to Gaza for the press rests on concerns that the entry of journalists to Gaza would pose security risks to IDF soldiers and to the journalists themselves, concerns which would presumably be mitigated by the cessation of hostilities.

Gilead Sher, representing the FPA, points out that the proceedings around the petition had already been seriously delayed, and asks the court to ensure that the state does provide an update within 30 days.

He also asks the court to provide an interim solution for independent press access to Gaza.