Israeli soldiers armed and masked raided the Al Jazeera bureau in the occupied West Bank, handing a 45-day closure order to the network’s chief without explanation. The raid and closure come after a previous ban on reporting inside Israel. Al Jazeera condemned the move as a violation of press freedom, as media rights groups criticize Israel for targeting and killing journalists, including Al Jazeera reporters. The network has faced attacks from Israeli forces dating back to 2022, with a veteran correspondent killed while reporting in the West Bank. Al Jazeera has consistently called out Israel for suppression of the free press and targeting journalists. The latest raid underscores Israel’s tight control in the occupied West Bank, following a recent UN vote to end the Israeli occupation. Despite the closure, Al Jazeera remains committed to covering the news, with journalists in the region determined to continue reporting on the ground. The closure is seen as part of Israel’s longstanding efforts to control the narrative and prevent news about Palestinians from reaching the world.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
