Israel has decided to extend its ban on the entry of foreign journalists into the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli media reports on Monday, citing a government-backed legal memorandum submitted by the public prosecutor’s office.
The memorandum states that, at this stage, foreign journalists should not be allowed to enter Gaza without Israeli military accompaniment, arguing that security risks linked to such access remain in place. The decision reflects the position of Israel’s security establishment, which maintains that the situation on the ground continues to pose unresolved threats.
The move comes as the humanitarian toll in Gaza continues to rise. The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza said on Sunday that the death toll from Israeli military operations since October 7, 2023, has reached 71,386, with 171,264 people injured.
The ministry added that many victims remain trapped under rubble or in streets inaccessible to ambulance and civil defense teams.
A first phase of a ceasefire agreement in Gaza came into force on October 10, 2025, following indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel, mediated by Egypt, Qatar, the United States and Turkey, based on a proposal put forward by US President Donald Trump.
On October 13, 2025, Hamas released all 20 living Israeli captives and later handed over additional bodies, while Israel freed around 2,000 Palestinian detainees as part of agreed steps aimed at ending the conflict.
The war began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, firing thousands of rockets into Israel and storming settlements near Gaza, killing around 1,200 Israelis and capturing about 250 others. Israel responded by declaring war on Gaza, launching extensive air, artillery and ground operations with the stated aim of eliminating Hamas and securing the return of captives.
Russia has reiterated its support for efforts to end the war and facilitate prisoner exchanges, calling for a negotiated settlement to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on a two-state solution that ensures the establishment of an independent Palestinian state and safeguards Palestinian rights.
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