When Hamas and the Israeli government negotiated a temporary cease-fire last week to facilitate a hostage exchange, Politico published an article that contained an extraordinary yet all too predictable insight into the thinking of Joe Biden and his officials:

There was some concern in the administration about an unintended consequence of the pause: that it would allow journalists broader access to Gaza and the opportunity to further illuminate the devastation there and turn public opinion on Israel.

Israel’s war on Gaza has already resulted in a staggering death toll among journalists. In addition to the sheer danger of reporting from the ground, the relentless nature of the Israeli bombing campaign has made it difficult for anyone to put forward a clear, up-to-date picture of the devastation inflicted upon the people of Gaza.