Israel directs Al Jazeera to shut down its local office and confiscates part of its equipment.

Israel has ordered the closure of Al Jazeera's local office and seized some of its broadcasting equipment. This action marks a significant move against the media outlet, reflecting ongoing tensions between the state and the network.

On Sunday, Israel mandated the closure of the local offices of Qatar's Al Jazeera news network, escalating an ongoing dispute between the network and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's stringent government. This action comes amidst fragile ceasefire negotiations mediated by Doha with Hamas.

This unprecedented move involved seizing broadcasting equipment, halting the channel’s broadcasts, and blocking its websites, marking the first instance Israel has closed a foreign news operation within its borders.

Following the order, Al Jazeera was removed from Israel’s primary cable and satellite services, though its website and various online streams remained accessible.

Al Jazeera has continuously covered the conflict between Israel and Hamas since the militants' initial attack on October 7, providing round-the-clock news from Gaza amid an intense Israeli military offensive, which has resulted in casualties among its staff. The network’s Arabic service frequently airs direct statements from Hamas and other regional groups.

Netanyahu criticized Al Jazeera’s coverage, accusing its reporters of endangering Israel’s security and stirring anti-soldier sentiments, branding the network a voice for Hamas and stating it was time for its removal from Israel.

In response, Al Jazeera committed to contesting these actions through every legal avenue available internationally, asserting that Israel’s repressive actions against press freedom aim to obscure its operations in Gaza, which it views as violations of international and humanitarian laws. The network vowed that intimidation and threats would not deter them from their journalistic duties.

Historically, Israel has been tolerant of a vibrant media landscape that includes foreign bureaus, but it has also blocked broadcasts from Hezbollah-affiliated Al Mayadeen at the war's outset. A recent law has enabled the government to specifically target Al Jazeera, as noted by Netanyahu’s office.

Footage was released by Israeli Communication Minister Shlomo Karhi showing a raid on an Al Jazeera hotel room in East Jerusalem, from where it was broadcasting, resulting in the seizure of equipment. Karhi celebrated the action as a shutdown of Al Jazeera’s "incitement machine" that compromised national security, announcing a temporary but extendable 45-day operation ban in Israel.

This measure, however, does not affect Al Jazeera’s operations in the West Bank or Gaza Strip, areas under Israeli control but not officially Israeli territory.

The closure risks exacerbating tensions with Qatar, a key mediator in the Gaza ceasefire efforts along with Egypt and the U.S. Relations with Netanyahu have been strained, especially after his remarks questioning Qatar’s influence over Hamas regarding ceasefire terms.

Despite the possibility of a nearing agreement, previous negotiation rounds have failed to yield a resolution.

Hamas and various international bodies have condemned Israel's decision, viewing it as an attack on media freedom. The Foreign Press Association in Israel and the Committee to Protect Journalists have also expressed significant concern, labeling the closure a dire precedent for international media freedom in Israel.

Human Rights Watch has criticized the move as a direct assault on press freedom, urging Israel to cease its offensive actions in Gaza rather than suppressing media coverage.

The tension between Israel and Al Jazeera has been particularly high since the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh by Israeli forces two years ago. Relations deteriorated further after Hamas's recent attacks from Gaza, which prompted a severe Israeli military response, resulting in substantial casualties as reported by local health officials.

Throughout the conflict, Al Jazeera has been one of the few international networks reporting from Gaza, documenting the harsh realities of the conflict and challenging narratives that omit the hardships faced by Gazans.

Al Jazeera has faced criticism and censorship in other Middle Eastern contexts as well, notably during the U.S. occupation of Iraq and following the 2013 Egyptian military coup, reflecting the contentious nature of its reporting in politically volatile environments.

Source: CNBC