VIDEO: 'Israeli' forces allow first tour of Gaza by international journalists in two years

• Rare Access: For the first time in two years, international journalists were allowed into Gaza on a short, escorted tour by 'Israeli' forces.
• Widespread Destruction: The visit revealed extensive damage in Gaza after two-years of the 'Israeli' genocide 

For the first time since Oct 7, NPR correspondent Daniel Estrin has reported entering the Strip on a rare visit escorted by the 'Israeli' military.

The visit, carried out under strict military supervision, highlighted the “vast scale of destruction” and the de facto division of Gaza into two zones: one controlled by the 'Israeli' army and the other by Hamas, amid uncertainty over the ceasefire’s future.

The trip comes nearly a month after the ceasefire, following two years of war, during which entry to Gaza has been not allowed to international journalists. As a condition of the trip, the 'Israeli' military reviewed all raw audio and video footage recorded by NPR.

Estrin, who has reported from Gaza for years, described how the old border crossing facilities, metal detectors and gates, had disappeared. Instead, the delegation entered directly through the 'Israeli' fence in a military vehicle, reaching a forward military position near the so-called “yellow line,” where 'Israeli' forces withdrew at the start of the ceasefire, still off-limits to Palestinians.

From a raised rupple mound overlooking the Shejaiya neighborhood, 'Israeli' military spokesperson Nadav Shoshani explained the scene. Estrin recalled his reaction:

“Oh my God, oh my God… I feel like my heart is sinking.”
He described the devastation: “Vast destruction… tall buildings in Gaza still stand in the distance, but around them, piles of concrete, destroyed schools and homes.” He added: “I can hardly see any shrubs or trees, just wide stretches of collapsed concrete houses, with concrete beams jutting out of the ground like long grave markers.”

The area was eerily quiet, apart from the chatter of soldiers at the forward base, where Estrin noticed one wearing a shirt labeled “Hamas Hunting Club.”

Estrin noted that 'Israeli' forces remain active in their half of Gaza, demolishing tunnels, while Hamas continues to regroup in the area designated for Palestinian residents.

Regarding the future, Shoshani told Estrin that US plans involve deploying a multinational force and disarming Hamas, after the return of the bodies of captives, after which 'Israeli' forces would withdraw. Shoshani stressed: “We would be happy for that to happen immediately… but we are prepared to remain here to protect our civilians as long as it does not.”

Estrin reflected on whether this temporary division of Gaza could become a long-term reality, comparing it to 'Israel’s' continued occupation of the West Bank for more than 50 years. Shoshani emphasized the army’s readiness to stay long-term, pointing to strong infrastructure at the base, including a communications tower, electricity poles, and fortified walls.

Concluding his report, Estrin highlighted the restrictions on press access:

“This is as far as I was allowed to go. The war is over, but Israel still does not permit journalists to enter Gaza independently to report directly on how life has become there.”