Following the Israeli government’s decision to shut down Al Jazeera’s local operations in Israel, authorities raided a hotel room in Jerusalem reportedly used by the Qatari-owned TV station as its office. According to both an Israeli official and a source from Al Jazeera speaking to Reuters, plainclothes officers were seen dismantling camera equipment in the hotel room, situated in East Jerusalem.

The closure of Al Jazeera’s operations came as part of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet decision to halt the network’s activities for the duration of the conflict in Gaza, citing concerns over national security. Netanyahu, announcing the decision on social media, referred to Al Jazeera as an “incitement channel” that posed a threat to Israel.

Al Jazeera swiftly condemned the move, labeling it a “criminal action” and dismissing the accusation that the network endangered Israeli security as a “dangerous and ridiculous lie” that jeopardized the safety of its journalists. The network asserted its intention to pursue legal action in response to the shutdown.

Throughout the conflict, Al Jazeera has been critical of Israel’s military operations in Gaza and has provided extensive coverage from the region.

The closure of Al Jazeera’s operations in Israel marks a significant escalation in the longstanding tensions between the network and the Israeli government. The move has sparked concerns about press freedom and censorship, with Al Jazeera vowing to defend its rights to report independently without fear of reprisal.