Gaza: The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees has urged the immediate lifting of Israel's ban on international media access to Gaza, warning that the ongoing information blackout is contributing to the spread of disinformation and eroding trust in reports from eyewitnesses and humanitarian organizations. Philippe Lazzarini emphasized that this media restriction has been in place for over 650 days, amid what he described as significant civilian suffering.

According to Anadolu Agency, Lazzarini shared his concerns on X, stating that the media ban is fueling disinformation campaigns that cast doubt on firsthand data and reports from both eyewitnesses and international humanitarian organizations. He highlighted the grim toll on Palestinian journalists, with over 200 losing their lives in the conflict.

Lazzarini's call for action comes as Israel continues its offensive on Gaza, which began in late October 2023, resulting in the deaths of nearly 59,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and children. The ongoing bombardment has not only devastated the region but also caused severe food shortages and the spread of diseases.

Adding to the gravity of the situation, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants last November for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.