Tel aviv: The Israeli government plans to reexamine a policy barring journalists from entering the war-torn Gaza Strip, local media reported on Sunday. In a response sent to Israel’s Supreme Court, the government indicated that it would review its stance on journalist entry into Gaza within a month and submit an update by November 23, as reported by Haaretz newspaper.

According to Anadolu Agency, the government’s move comes after petitions were filed with the court challenging the ban on journalists entering the Palestinian territory. The current policy will continue to prohibit journalists from entering Gaza, except within the so-called ‘yellow line,’ until any updates are made. The ‘yellow line’ demarcates areas occupied by the Israeli army in Gaza from those they have vacated.

Last Thursday, the Foreign Press Association in Israel expressed disappointment over a Supreme Court ruling that permitted the government to maintain its restriction on journalists entering Gaza. Since October 2023, at least 238 Palestinian journalists have been killed and dozens injured in Israeli attacks in Gaza.

Palestinian and international human rights and media organizations have raised concerns that Israel’s ban on journalists and attacks on reporters aim to conceal atrocities occurring in Gaza. Israeli military operations have resulted in the deaths of more than 68,000 people and injuries to over 170,000 others during two years of attacks since October 2023.

A ceasefire agreement’s first phase took effect in Gaza on October 10 under US President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan. This phase includes the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners and outlines plans for rebuilding Gaza and establishing a new governance structure without Hamas.