Israeli forces raided Al Jazeera office and took the channel off air

My training data only goes up until January 2022, so I can’t provide real-time information. As of my last update, Hamas was designated as a terrorist organization by Israel, the United States, the European Union, and other countries and organizations.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the cabinet has approved the closure while the conflict in Gaza persists. On Sunday, police conducted a raid on the office of the Qatari broadcaster located at the Ambassador hotel in Jerusalem.

Al Jazeera denounced allegations of posing a threat to Israeli security as a “dangerous and absurd falsehood.” The network asserted its intention to explore all legal avenues available.

Israel’s Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi reported that equipment was confiscated during the raid. In a video shared by the minister on X platform, police officers and ministry inspectors can be seen entering a hotel room.

Despite a visit by a BBC team to the scene, they were denied access to film or enter the hotel by the police. Reuters news agency stated that the Israeli satellite service Yes broadcasted a message stating: “Al Jazeera’s broadcasts have been halted in Israel as per government decision.” However, the blockage is not fully effective, as the channel remains accessible via Facebook in Israel.

The shut down of Al Jazeera in Israel has drawn criticism from various human rights and press groups. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) has filed a request with the country’s Supreme Court to reverse the ban, arguing that accusations of it being a Hamas propaganda tool lack evidence.

They believe the ban serves a political agenda to silence critical voices. The Foreign Press Association (FPA) has also urged Israel to reconsider, stating that the shutdown threatens press freedom and aligns Israel with authoritarian regimes. They warn that other foreign outlets could be targeted in the future.

Carlos Martinez de la Serna, Program Director at the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), reiterated the importance of allowing Al Jazeera and other international media organizations to operate without hindrance in Israel, particularly during times of conflict.

The UN Human Rights office similarly urged the Israeli government to rescind the ban, emphasizing on X platform that a free and independent press is vital for fostering transparency and accountability, especially amidst heightened constraints on reporting from Gaza.

Foreign journalists are prohibited from entering Gaza, leaving Al Jazeera personnel as some of the few reporters present on the ground. Israeli officials have long criticized the network for its perceived anti-Israeli bias.

The broadcaster has faced increased criticism following the Hamas attacks on southern Israel on October 7th, during which approximately 1,200 people were killed and over 250 were taken hostage, with 128 hostages still unaccounted for and at least 34 presumed dead.

Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza resulted in the deaths of at least 34,683 Palestinians and injuries to 78,018 others, according to the Hamas-run health ministry. In response, the Israeli parliament passed a law granting the government the authority to temporarily shut down foreign broadcasters deemed a threat to national security during the conflict with Hamas.

Qatar, where Al Jazeera is based, is facilitating negotiations between Israel and Hamas, with previous talks leading to a temporary ceasefire and the release of 105 Israeli hostages in November.

Al Jazeera alleges that Israel has intentionally aimed at its personnel. Among the casualties are journalists like Hamza al-Dahdouh, son of Al Jazeera’s Gaza bureau chief Wael al-Dahdouh, who were killed in Israeli attacks. Israel refutes the accusation of targeting journalists. Despite Israel’s efforts to silence the press through fatalities and arrests, Al Jazeera remains committed to fulfilling its journalistic responsibilities, as stated in its response to the recent ban.

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