Washington, April 30 (QNA) - Major American and international media organizations have called on the Israeli occupation authorities to allow foreign journalists into the Gaza Strip to report "independently" from within the territory.

In a statement issued by more than 20 media outlets on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the organizations said the Israeli government has yet to respond to their questions regarding these restrictions, despite a ceasefire having been in place six months ago.

The statement stressed that an on-the-ground presence is essential for journalists to verify official accounts from all sides, speak directly with civilians, and report what they witness firsthand. It added the fiercest fighting has ended, there is a ceasefire, and journalists pose no threat to Israeli occupation forces. There is already a mechanism in place, albeit with its own limitations, that allows aid workers to enter and exit the Palestinian territories, while journalists are not granted the same access.

The statement further noted that, with foreign correspondents barred from entry, coverage of the situation on the ground has relied almost entirely on Palestinian journalists, who face heightened risks, as they not only work in dangerous conditions but also endure the war personally, with many having lost their homes and facing food shortages.

Among the signatories are the Associated Press, BBC, CNN, Reuters, Deutsche Presse-Agentur, and The Washington Post.

World Press Freedom Day is observed annually on May 3, as designated by the United Nations in 1993, to highlight the significance of press freedom. (QNA)