Israeli troops carried out a raid on Al Jazeera’s West Bank office in Ramallah early Sunday, delivering a military order to halt its operations for 45 days, according to the Qatari news network.
Live footage aired by Al Jazeera showed armed Israeli soldiers entering the bureau and presenting the shutdown order to the office’s chief, Walid al-Omari. The order accused the network of “incitement to and support of terrorism.” Cameras and other equipment were confiscated before the troops departed, Al Jazeera reported.
Israeli Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi later confirmed the move, labeling Al Jazeera as a platform for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. “We will keep countering enemy channels and protect our brave forces,” he stated.
The Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate criticized the closure as a “new violation” of media freedoms, adding that it aimed to silence reports on Israeli actions in Palestinian territories.
In May, Israel banned Al Jazeera from operating within its borders, citing national security concerns, and raided the network’s Jerusalem office. The network denies affiliations with militant groups and accuses Israel of targeting its journalists.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas, along with growing unrest in the West Bank, has escalated tensions. Israeli forces regularly conduct raids, leading to violent clashes with Palestinian fighters, arrests, and increasing attacks on Palestinian communities by Jewish settlers.
Al Jazeera, founded in 1996 by the Qatari government, plays a central role in Qatar’s global diplomatic efforts. Despite the accusations, the network continues to cover the ongoing conflict, including recent efforts to negotiate ceasefires between Israel and Hamas following the deadly October 7 attack.
