Israeli troops raided Al Jazeera’s office in the West Bank, ordering its shutdown as part of an ongoing campaign targeting the network’s coverage of the Israel-Hamas war. This marked the first time Israel has closed a foreign news outlet operating in the country. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate denounced the order as an attack on journalistic work.
The closure follows previous Israeli actions against Al Jazeera, including seizure of equipment in East Jerusalem. Despite the shutdown, Al Jazeera continued broadcasting live from Jordan. The network’s reporting on the conflict has been continuous, leading to accusations by Israeli officials of endangering national security and incitement.
The closure coincides with rising tensions in the region, including potential spillover of the conflict into Lebanon. Al Jazeera’s closure in the West Bank adds to concerns over press freedom and the safety of journalists in the volatile region.