By Aysu Bicer
LONDON (AA) - The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Friday expressed deep concern over alarming reports of a communications blackout in Gaza, warning that this was leading to a critical information void with potentially serious consequences.
The New York-based group emphasized that the world is "losing a window into the reality" of what is happening in Gaza as news organizations lose contact with their correspondents on the ground.
"The Israel-Gaza war has entered a new stage with intensified bombing and ground operations by Israeli forces. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is highly alarmed by widespread reports of a communications blackout in Gaza," it said.
The blackout not only deprives the world of vital news but also creates a dangerous "vacuum" in which independent, factual information is displaced by "deadly propaganda," as well as misinformation and disinformation, it said.
"We remind all warring factions — including outside of Israel's internationally recognized borders — that journalists are civilians and must be respected and protected by all warring parties in accordance with international humanitarian law. Deliberately targeting journalists or media infrastructure constitute possible war crimes," it added.
The current conflict in Gaza escalated dramatically after Hamas' military wing carried out an unprecedented attack on Israel on Oct. 7 by firing thousands of rockets and sending hundreds of fighters into Israeli towns.
Israel responded with an uninterrupted campaign of air and artillery strikes on the Gaza Strip, and the government announced that it is preparing for a ground offensive to root out Hamas.
More than 8,700 people have been killed in the conflict, including at least 7,326 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis.
Gaza's 2.3 million residents are grappling with shortages of food, water, and medicine due to Israel's massive air bombardment and total blockade of the enclave.