Media rights group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) has urged Israeli and Egyptian authorities to allow journalists to move freely across the Gaza Strip’s southern border crossing into Egypt, according to AFP.

In a statement, RSF called for the Rafah crossing to be opened “so that journalists can finally come and go on both sides of the border”.

Palestinian journalists who, like other civilians in Gaza, have had to flee their homes in the north of the Gaza Strip “are now being told by Israel to assemble at the border with Egypt, with no possibility of crossing”, RSF said.

“Conversely, international reporters are prevented from entering.” The Rafah crossing is controlled by Hamas and Egypt, though RSF says Israel monitors all activities at the southern border.