The Media Accountability Project  

Feedback re: Israel conveys 'concerns' to U.S. on Gaza plan, keeps up strikes on territory.

"As a global wire news service whose articles are distributed to subscribing media outlets worldwide, AFP has a responsibility to provide reporting that is accurate and fair.  The article should have at minimum mentioned that Israel did not fulfill its ceasefire obligations in Phase One."

Dear Mr. Wishart,

I am writing on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) regarding the Agence France Presse article published online on August 3, 2026 titled Israel conveys 'concerns' to U.S. on Gaza plan, keeps up strikes on territory.

Phase 1 of the Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict was signed on October 9, coming into effect the following day, and was endorsed by the United Nations Security Council on November 17. It established an immediate freeze on military operations, the return of all living and deceased Israeli hostages within 72 hours, a reciprocal release of Palestinian prisoners, a partial Israeli military pullback to designated lines, a reopening of the Rafah border crossing and no more restrictions on humanitarian aid. 

We appreciate that your article mentions the Palestinian death toll and that Israel controls more than 60% of Gaza. However, the article would have been more accurate had it included additional context regarding Israel’s failure to fulfill its ceasefire obligations in Phase One:

  • The Rafah crossing, a key lifeline for aid, entry, and travel, re-opened but remains subject to strict Israeli control.
  • Israel continues to expand their control beyond the designated Yellow Line.
  • Israel continues to restrict the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza
  • Since October, Hamas released all 20 living Israeli captives in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian political prisoners. However, Suhail al-Hindi, a member of the Hamas political bureau and one of the supervisors of the exchange deal, informed Al Jazeera that Israel has not fulfilled its obligation to release all women and minor political prisoners as specified in the agreement.

As a global wire news service whose articles are distributed to subscribing media outlets worldwide, AFP has a responsibility to provide reporting that is accurate and fair.  The article should have at minimum mentioned that Israel did not fulfill its ceasefire obligations in Phase One.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Debbie Hubbard

Kelowna, British Columbia

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