CNN’s Clarissa Ward Enters Gaza In Defiance of Ban

Chief international correspondent for CNN Clarissa Ward has become one of the first Western journalists to report from Gaza during the current conflict in defiance of a media ban.

Since 7 October, the Erez crossing between Israel and Gaza has been closed, prohibiting journalists from entering. The Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza has not permitted journalists to cross since the war started.

However, Ward has made her way in. So far, at least 63 journalists have been killed during the Israel-Hamas, the vast majority killed by Israeli action.

She said: “We enjoyed a very privileged position on this occasion, we did feel relatively safe, we were only on the ground for a matter of hours.”

Reporting on the damage she saw, Ward added: “I can honestly say I don’t think we’ve ever seen it quite on this scale.”

The ban on international reporters has resulted in a reliance on Palestinian journalists, aid and health workers, and social media for updates.

Israel has repeatedly cut off phone communications and internet from Gaza during the war.

Israel has permitted some journalists to enter, but only under the supervision of the Israeli Defence Force (IDF).