Dorit Beinish
Photo: Gil Yohanan
Israel to allow foreign correspondents into Gaza
Reporters will be allowed to cross into Hamas-controlled territory eight at a time on days when Erez crossing is open
The State will allow foreign correspondents to enter Gaza in small groups, Ynet learned Thursday.
The decision was made following a petition by the Foreign Press Association in Israel and pressure exerted by the Supreme Court.
According to the State's response to the petition, reporters will be allowed to cross into the Hamas-controlled territory eight at a time on days when the Erez crossing is open and following a security inspection.
During Wednesday's court hearing on the matter, Supreme Court President Dorit Beinish and judges Elyakim Rubinstein and Hanan Melcer asked the State to allow a handful of foreign reporters into Gaza, while Operation Cast Lead is ongoing.
At a time when rockets are fired on Beersheba and Ashdod, the media's needs must also be addressed, noted the court.
The State and IDF have barred reporters from the Strip about six weeks ago, citing that the volatile security situation in Gaza poses a concrete risk to their safety.
The Foreign Press Association in Israel (FPA) petitioned the Supreme Court against the decision, and the court ordered it to compile a narrow list of reporters wishing to enter the area by Thursday morning.
The State was ordered to study the list and inform the court of its final decision.
