BRUSSELS, Saturday, October 28, 2023 (WAFA) – The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has decried the Israeli military's informing of the international news organizations Reuters and Agence France Presse that it cannot guarantee the safety of their journalists operating in the Gaza Strip, under Israeli bombardment and siege for almost three weeks.

Anthony Bellanger, IFJ General Secretary, declared: “Those who make war must respect international law, however terrible armed conflict may be, however deadly it might become for civilians. It is utterly unacceptable for the Israeli government to try to absolve itself from its responsibilities under international law by issuing a press release."

"The right of everyone to have access to information and ideas, reiterated in Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, underpins the journalist's mission. Israel must respect this," he continued.

The IFJ called on the Israeli government to comply fully with international humanitarian law and international human rights law, and to act to prevent the commission of and incitement to any crimes under international law, including war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

The IFJ demanded respect for Article 79 of the Geneva Convention which states that: “Journalists in war zones must be treated as civilians and protected as such, provided they play no part in the hostilities.”

The IFJ also noted that communication with Gaza – specifically access to the internet – has frequently been unavailable, violating the fundamental human right to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.

M.N