Israel pronounced the Gaza Strip a closed military zone for journalists shortly before it launched coordinated airstrikes on the region on December 27 in a bid to end rocket attacks on Israeli border towns and arms smuggling by militants. The Palestinian Center for Human Rights said 1,284 Palestinians were killed in the air and ground offensive.
The ministry said in a statement that "beginning from January 23, 2009, the Erez border crossing will be allowing journalists to pass from Israel to the Gaza Strip."
Each journalist intending to visit Gaza will have to sign a waver relinquishing any right to claim damages from Israel for physical or financial harm sustained while in the territory.
Israel and Hamas each declared unilateral ceasefires on Sunday, although both sides have already accused each other of ceasefire violations.
