On Thursday, June 19, the Israeli Government Press Office – the body responsible for managing relationships between authorities and journalists working in Israel – sent an email to foreign correspondents in the country, detailing new censorship guidelines. This was the fourth such message in less than a week, since the launch of Operation "Rising Lion" against Iran on June 13.

"Any live or recorded broadcast from a combat zone or missile impact site requires prior written approval from the military censor, covering both the location and how it is described," the message stated. Written authorization is mandatory. A dedicated phone line, available 24 hours a day, has been set up to contact the military censor's office, a unit under Israeli military intelligence led by Brigadier-General Kobi Mandelblit.

The update followed directives reiterated the day after Israel's initial strikes against Iran. Under Israeli law, all articles – both in traditional media and on social media – that address national security or related matters must be approved by the censor before publication. Live broadcasts from television networks at impact sites pose a more immediate challenge, as they enable the Iranian regime to assess the accuracy of the strikes. Israeli authorities generally allow this when civilian areas are targeted, but intervene immediately when sensitive sites, such as military bases, are involved.

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