The Media Freedom Coalition, a group of more than 50 countries partnered to defend press freedom and the safety of journalists, has issued a statement calling on Israel “to allow immediate independent foreign media access and afford protection for journalists operating in Gaza”, Al Jazeera reports.

“Journalists and media workers play an essential role in putting the spotlight on the devastating reality of war,” said the statement, signed by numerous partner members, including Australia, Austria, Germany, Ireland, Norway, the Netherlands and the UK. “Access to conflict zones is vital to carrying out this role effectively.”

It said the signatories also “strongly condemn all violence directed against journalists and media workers, especially the extremely high number of fatalities, arrests and detentions”.