Tel aviv: For two years of genocidal attacks on the Gaza Strip, Israel has barred international journalists from entering the Palestinian enclave in an attempt to obscure atrocities against civilians there. During that time, the Israeli army organized limited, highly controlled press tours inside Gaza, dictating which photos and videos could be published and prohibiting interviews with Palestinians. Many journalists refused to join those military-escorted visits, insisting on their right to enter Gaza independently and without restrictions.
According to Anadolu Agency, with a ceasefire taking effect on Oct. 10 between Israel and Hamas, Tel Aviv now faces a dilemma, as Israel’s Supreme Court reviews a petition filed by the Foreign Press Association demanding permission for independent press entry into Gaza. To avoid this predicament, Israel is reportedly preparing an ‘information warfare’ campaign to mislead journalists once they are allowed in by designing media scenarios that conceal its atrocities against Palestinians.
On Sunday, the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Israel braces for a ‘propaganda war’ as global journalists prepare to enter Gaza. The paper noted that Israel is preparing a coordinated media strategy ahead of global journalists’ arrival in Gaza, including ‘army-escorted tours and visual evidence’ to show what Tel Aviv calls Hamas infrastructure inside civilian areas.
Senior Israeli officials and security agencies have reportedly held ‘intensive discussions about how to manage Gaza’s imminent reopening to the world.’ With international forces expected to enter the Strip to assist in locating hostages and bodies, Israel is preparing for the arrival of foreign journalists who will be able to witness the destruction firsthand rather than through Hamas-produced footage.
The state informed the Supreme Court that Israeli and foreign journalists will soon be permitted to enter Gaza under Israeli military escort, up to the boundary known as the ‘yellow line.’ This zone refers to the area to which Israeli forces have withdrawn under the ceasefire agreement, stretching from southern North Gaza Governorate to the outskirts of Rafah.
If global media gain entry, Israel’s public diplomacy institutions are preparing for what they describe as an oncoming wave of negative reports focusing on human stories from Gaza. These narratives, they anticipate, will likely highlight the suffering of civilians amid the devastation and may reignite criticism of Israel’s conduct during the war.
According to the paper, the Israeli Foreign Ministry and the National Public Diplomacy Directorate are preparing for Hamas’ expected use of the situation to advance a propaganda campaign accusing Israel once again of war crimes. Facing this dilemma, a strategy session was convened by the army spokesperson’s unit with representatives from various agencies to deal with the situation. Participants agreed that the diplomatic and informational battles are far from over, with expectations of intensified anti-Israel attacks on social media and traditional media outlets.
A senior Israeli official involved in planning the campaign described it as a central task for every branch of the system, emphasizing the challenge posed by widespread destruction visible in Gaza. The official noted that explanatory materials, focusing on visual and incriminating evidence, are being prepared.
The paper also mentioned that since the ceasefire, criticism of Israel abroad has eased, and coverage of the conflict has largely disappeared from front pages. Israeli public diplomacy officials now expect that the reopening of Gaza to international reporters will bring the story back into global focus. One idea under review is the establishment of designated sites in Gaza where journalists can be shown how Hamas operated from within civilian areas and hid behind noncombatants.
Yedioth Ahronoth quoted a senior Israeli source, expressing concerns about the potential fallout if journalists enter Gaza for the first time, presenting difficult stories. Despite extensive evidence of Israeli crimes, the source insisted on Israel’s message that Hamas bears the responsibility, a stance claimed to be consistent with international law.
Hamas has repeatedly denied using civilian buildings for military purposes, countering that Israel’s accusations are attempts to justify its actions against Palestinians. Israel has reportedly killed more than 68,500 people, mostly women and children, and injured over 170,000 others in Gaza since October 2023. Phase one of the Gaza ceasefire deal includes the release of Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners, alongside plans for Gaza’s rebuilding and a new governing mechanism without Hamas.