Israeli Forces Shut Down Al Jazeera Bureau in Ramallah Amid Accusations of Terrorism Support

Israeli forces raided Al Jazeera's office in Ramallah, issuing a military order to shut down operations for 45 days, accusing the network of incitement and support of terrorism. The move, condemned by the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate, follows a ban on Al Jazeera operating inside Israel, allegedly for national security concerns.

Israeli forces raided the Al Jazeera bureau in Ramallah on Sunday, delivering a military order to cease operations for 45 days, the network reported.

The Qatari media outlet aired live footage showing Israeli troops entering the office, brandishing weapons, and handing bureau chief Walid al-Omari a court order accusing the network of incitement to and support of terrorism. Cameras were confiscated during the raid.

Shlomo Karhi, Israeli communications minister, described Al Jazeera as the 'mouthpiece' for Gaza's Hamas and Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah, reinforcing the rationale behind the closure. The Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate condemned the action as a violation of media freedom, underscoring ongoing tensions amid the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

(With inputs from agencies.)