Israel and Palestine: Ceasefire must be the first step towards real accountability

ARTICLE 19 welcomes the news that Israel and Hamas have agreed to a ceasefire. We express hope that the suspension of the war will begin on 19 January, as currently scheduled, and lead to an alleviation in suffering for the people that have been affected by this conflict. We hope, too, that the ceasefire signals an end to the persistent attack on freedom of expression.

We reiterate our demand for justice and accountability for the human rights and humanitarian law violations committed during this conflict. The ceasefire must lead to a robust, thorough investigation into all crimes against civilians, including journalists.

Israel must grant journalists and the media access to all areas of Palestinian territory, including Gaza, and Israel to enable accurate reporting on the ceasefire and relief efforts, the dissemination of lifesaving, reliable information, and to amplify the voices of people trapped amid violence. The key role journalists and the media will play in any peace-building efforts cannot be overstated.

Granting media access will also bring war crimes to light and facilitate investigations into rights violations committed since the war began, on both sides of the war, including those committed against the media.

ARTICLE 19 has consistently raised the alarm over the freedom of expression crisis at the centre of the 15-month war - from internet shutdowns to a refusal to grant media access to Gaza or Israel's closure of Al Jazeera, which has silenced the voices of those affected and contributed to impunity for crimes committed.

Throughout the war, ARTICLE 19 has urged Israel to stop targeting journalists , and to stop accusing journalists of being affiliated with militant groups, undermining their protected status under international humanitarian law. Since 7 October 2023, t he Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has documented that at least 165 journalists and media workers have been killed ,with 49 journalists sustaining injuries. In at least 11 cases, CPJ determined that Israel had intentionally targeted journalists .

Without justice and accountability, lasting peace will be impossible. The international community must take all necessary measures to ensure that those responsible for serious human rights violations are held accountable.

ARTICLE 19 will continue to follow all investigations and litigations, including before the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court, aimed at establishing accountability for the countless crimes committed in this conflict.

We urge the i nternational accountability mechanisms to prioritise investigations into the deliberate targeting and killing of journalists during this conflict and the role of freedom of expression violations in enabling harm to civilians.

In addition, we urge the international community to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the people in Gaza, including helping bring an end to the information and communications blackout.

The ceasefire is a crucial first step, but lasting peace requires more . We call on all parties and the international community to pursue a political solution that will bring lasting peace to the region and finally secure the Palestinian people's right to self-determination. The protection of human rights and freedom of expression must be at the heart of these efforts.