Israeli Soldiers Raid and Shut Down Al Jazeera Office in Ramallah

Heavily armed, masked Israeli soldiers raid Al Jazeera's bureau in the occupied West Bank, issuing a 45-day closure order.

Al Jazeera network offices in Ramallah, occupied West Bank, on May 5, 2024 [Zain Jaafar/AFP].

Israeli forces raided Al Jazeera's offices in Ramallah, located in the occupied West Bank, imposing a 45-day closure in an ongoing effort to restrict the network’s coverage.

Heavily armed, masked Israeli soldiers entered the building early Sunday, delivering the closure order to West Bank bureau chief Walid al-Omari. No explanation for the decision was given.

“There is a court ruling to close down Al Jazeera for 45 days,” a soldier told al-Omari, as the exchange was broadcast live on Al Jazeera Arabic. “Please take all cameras and leave the office immediately,” the soldier added in Arabic.

This raid follows the Israeli government’s ban on Al Jazeera operations inside Israel earlier in May.