Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has reportedly ordered the blocking of Al Jazeera from broadcasting in the occupied West Bank, instructing army Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi to implement the ban. Despite uncertainty about the specifics of the order, such as whether it will include areas with Israeli settlers or Palestinian regions, the Israeli military is working on its enforcement.
Although not officially confirmed by Gallant’s office or the military spokesperson, the move marks the latest in a series of actions against the Qatari broadcaster. This follows an earlier vote in May to shut down Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel, accusing the network of inciting against soldiers and serving as a “Hamas mouthpiece.” Al Jazeera, in response, denounced these claims as baseless attacks on press freedom and a dangerous lie.
With Al Jazeera as one of the few international media outlets reporting from Gaza, the attempted blockages align with a broader trend of restricting its coverage in the region. Despite these challenges, Al Jazeera continues to stand by its journalistic integrity, highlighting the importance of a free press even in the face of censorship.