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Last update - 07:21 07/01/2009 IDF ban on reporters in Gaza combat zones leads to limited coverage By Avi Issacharoff Tags: Gaza, Israel News, Israel  The Israel Defense Forces' refusal to allow reporters into the combat zones in the Gaza Strip is making it difficult for journalists, including television stations interested in broadcasting video from the field, to cover the fighting in Gaza. The IDF ban is forcing journalists to rely on reports from Israeli soldiers and the IDF spokesman. Even Palestinian reporters who live in the Strip are having trouble covering the fighting because it is difficult for them to leave their homes or the buildings from which they're broadcasting. As a consequence, journalists are not really getting an overall picture of the fighting, and are forced to piece stories together based on statements from Palestinian residents and IDF soldiers. This can affect important details in reporting, such as the number of Palestinian civilians killed. The official number of fatalities is determined by the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas. After the Israeli bombing of a school in Jabalya on Tuesday, which killed at least 30 Palestinians, the ministry announced that a total of about 640 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the IDF operation, on December 27. But the ministry does not provide any statistics regarding how many of the fatalities are Hamas gunmen killed in clashes with the IDF and how many are non-combatants, and has even said that since the ground incursion began Saturday, all the Palestinians killed have been civilians. In addition, Hamas leaders and operatives are in hiding for most of the day and are barely giving interviews, and cell-phone service in Gaza has been cut off for hours at a time since Monday, two factors that make it difficult to maintain contact with Palestinian sources. Bookmark to del.icio.us   From the bunker Hamas says Gaza won't break, victory over Israel is near. Banned Israel bans Arab parties from running in upcoming elections.   1.   Off course, to hide its crime! 05:56  |  Niva dos Santos 07/01/09   2.   IDF ban on reporters in combat zones 06:11  |  Boris 07/01/09   3.   Right to Ban Media 06:27  |  Joe 13/01/09

Read & React Legal expert: Rising Gaza death toll doesn't mean IDF acts are disproportionate Responses: 106 Sources: Hamas leaders hiding in basement of Israel-built hospital in Gaza Responses: 73 IDF: Hamas rocket fire down 50% since start of Gaza op Responses: 28 Gideon Levy: Israel's leaders will pay for the bloodshed in Gaza Responses: 59 Aluf Benn: Israel has a double standard when it comes to UN resolutions Responses: 42 More Headlines 02:30 Olmert seeks push in Cairo talks before Gaza op enters third stage 23:21 IDF soldier seriously hurt in Gaza, possibly by friendly fire 02:36 'Let's finish what we started' 03:45 ANALYSIS / Neither Israel nor Hamas can be choosy 03:44 ANALYSIS / World cannot, must not condemn Gaza war 03:55 Hamas' take on the Gaza war? Watch it on YouTube 01:58 Israel bans Arab parties from running in upcoming elections 18:20 Get up to the minute coverage of the warfare in Gaza directly to your email 03:34 U.S. arms shipment to Israel canceled due to Gaza conflict 02:18 Yoel Marcus / It's not Israel's fault it has a strong, well-run army 04:14 Amira Hass / Gazans trapped in no man's land between fire, farmlands 02:53 Human Rights Watch: IDF phosphorous bombs in Gaza violate int'l law 04:29 For one doctor, volunteering for reserves means being close to sons 21:42 Israel voices concern over anti-Semitic attacks in Europe 04:46 Why Hollywood did the tango with 'Waltz with Bashir' 05:05 15-year-old stabs older sister to death in her sleep Previous Editions Select Day 12 jan 11 jan 09 jan 08 jan 07 jan 06 jan 05 jan 04 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec

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