Israeli forces raided the bureau of media network Al Jazeera in Ramallah, issuing a military order to shut down operations for 45 days. The Israeli military cited incitement to terror as the reason behind the closure.
Al Jazeera condemned the raid as a criminal act and vowed to take legal action. The network denied the allegations of supporting terrorism and reaffirmed its commitment to journalistic integrity.
The closure was confirmed by Israeli communications minister Shlomo Karhi, who accused Al Jazeera of being a mouthpiece for Hamas and Hezbollah. The move was criticised by the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate as a violation of media freedom.
Al Jazeera, funded in part by the Qatari government, has faced previous accusations of endangering Israeli security. The network has provided extensive coverage of conflicts in Gaza and the West Bank, leading to tensions with Israeli authorities.
Despite these challenges, Al Jazeera remains committed to reporting on events in the region and upholding its journalistic principles.