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Journalists trying to cover the airdrops of humanitarian assistance into Gaza were apparently warned by Israel that any filming of the territory from the air will result in consequences for the aid deliveries.
“We were given quite a strict pre-flight briefing, that the Israelis have said we’re not allowed to film any shots of Gaza from the air. And if we do, these airdrop flights will either be canceled or delayed,” a Sky News reporter said from the inside of a plane carrying aid on Monday.
The BBC’s Jeremy Bowen said that Jordan gave him a similar message from Israel.
“But I spent 10 minutes looking at it with my own eyes,” he said. “And I can tell you that communities in the north of Gaza that I knew well – very vibrant, tens of thousands of people living hard lives, but actually with a remarkable human spirit – are flat. There’s nothing left of them.”
Israel has barred international journalists from accessing Gaza since beginning its offensive, despite pressure from press groups to allow for increased transparency.
The claims come just a couple days after haunting aerial footage showed Beit Hanoun in North Gaza completely flattened. The video was taken by YINONEWS, founded by former Knesset member Yinon Magal, and includes the caption: “Soon, throughout the entire Strip, God willing.”
