Israeli soldiers raided Al Jazeera’s bureau in the occupied West Bank, delivering a 45-day closure order without providing a reason for their decision. This comes after a previous ban on reporting from inside Israel back in May, which Al Jazeera journalists are still unable to operate under. The Bureau Chief, Walid al-Omari, expressed concern over the targeting of journalists, stating that such actions aim to erase the truth and hinder the public’s access to information.
Media rights groups have condemned Israel for its restrictions and attacks on journalists, including Palestinian reporters in Gaza. Since the start of the war last October, 173 journalists have been killed by Israeli forces, with Al Jazeera’s own reporters among the casualties. These attacks against Al Jazeera correspondents are not new, as there have been previous incidents where journalists were targeted and killed.
Despite the closure of their bureau, Al Jazeera remains committed to reporting on the situation in the region. The raid underscores Israel’s tight control over the West Bank and its attempt to control the narrative surrounding the Palestinian conflict. The closure coincides with a recent UN General Assembly vote calling for an end to the Israeli occupation, highlighting the ongoing tensions in the region. Israeli officials have yet to comment on the raid on Al Jazeera’s bureau in the occupied West Bank.
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Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
