Perhaps you have not heard much about Gaza these days.
Because the Israeli regime murdered 270+ journalists to silence their voices. Because the Israeli regime does not allow international journalists into Gaza. International reporters have been largely barred from entering Gaza, or allowed only extremely limited “embedding” with the military, under tight control. Because the Israeli regime banned Al Jazeera from Gaza. New laws give the Israeli government power to shut down foreign media outlets it deems a “threat” (sometimes called the “Al Jazeera law”). Because the Israeli regime destroyed media offices or rendered them non-functional. Because Social media and digital platforms are shadow-banning or restricting Palestinian coverage, which skew the information environment. Because YouTube recently removed the channels of three prominent Palestinian human-rights organisations: Al‐Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights and Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. The deletion included more than 700 videos evidencing war crimes by Israel: investigations, survivor testimonies, footage of strikes. The stated reason by YouTube was compliance with U.S. sanctions on organisations deemed to be collaborating with the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigations. Human-rights defenders and the deleted organisations view this as censorship — erasing key evidence from public view while accountability is desperately needed. Because Larry Ellison - Netanyahu’s biggest funder - now owns TikTok. Because within Israel and in relation to Gaza coverage, the Israeli Military Censor has dramatically increased its interventions: in 2024 it banned 1,635 articles and partially redacted 6,265. Internet/communications disruptions in Gaza further hamper reporting and independent verification. Because the BBC downplays and minimises the suffering of Palestinians ‘The BBC has the most brilliant production values. It produces the most extraordinary natural history and drama series. But the BBC is, and has long been, the most refined propaganda service in the world.’ John Pilger The result: the global public has far less independent on-the-ground verification of what’s happening. But they will never silence their voices or the truth
