German news media demand access to Gaza

German news media outlets on Tuesday called on Israel to allow them access to the widely devastated Gaza Strip, arguing that the "almost complete exclusion of international media... is unprecedented in recent history".

"After almost a year of war, we call on the Israeli government: allow us to enter the Gaza Strip," a group of newspapers, agencies and broadcasters wrote in an open letter addressed to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

They also urged Egypt to permit them entry into Gaza via the southern Rafah border crossing.

Signatories included editors and reporters from Der Spiegel, Die Welt, public broadcasters ARD and ZDF and the German Journalists Association.

The media organisations wrote that "anyone who makes independent reporting on this war impossible is damaging their own credibility. 

"Anyone who prohibits us from working in the Gaza Strip is creating the conditions for human rights to be violated."

The signatories added that they have decades of experience in conflict reporting, saying: "We know the risk. We are prepared to take it. Grant us access to the Gaza Strip. Let us work, in the interest of everyone."