A recent Israeli Supreme Court decision would have allowed eight foreign journalists to enter Gaza, however Israeli authorities chose to defy the court ruling and have kept journalists out. The ban started back in November of last year.

Official reasons have been given for refusing entry to foreign journalists. one being that authorities at the Erez crossing point have been too busy processing exiting Palestinians.

The greater truth is that Israel wants to control information and spin its version of events. No doubt the IDF also wants to be able to do its 'work' without witnesses. In the past they have complained that foreign press reporting was biased, which is what they invariably say if coverage places them in an unfavorable light.

The ban on journalists simply re-enforces the impression that Israel is engaged in activities that are in contravention of international law.

The FPA which represents foreign media in Israel has demanded that the Gaza strip should be permanently opened for coverage. An FPA statement said: "We call on the Israeli government to immediately honor the will of the court and allow foreign journalists access to Gaza. The authorities' position that there was not enough time to coordinate and allow the journalists to enter does not seem reasonable."