The leaders of major media companies around the world, including The Associated Press, are calling on Israel 's government to lift a ban keeping foreign journalists from being able to independently enter and report from Gaza , a barrier that's been in place since the war's start in 2023 and continues even as a ceasefire has been in place for more than six months. “Being on the ground is essential. It allows journalists to question official accounts on all sides, to speak directly with civilians and report back what they witness firsthand,” said the statement from the executives, released Thursday. “That is why news organizations send their reporters into the field, often at great personal risk.” From the BBC to CNN to MS NOW, from Reuters to German news agency dpa to The Washington Post, the top editors of more than two dozen organizations said the Israeli government has so far not responded to their efforts to discuss the situation.…