Israeli forces carried out a raid in the occupied West Bank city of Ramallah early Tuesday, renewing the closure order against the local office of Qatar-based broadcaster Al Jazeera.
According to witnesses, Israeli troops entered the city center and stormed the network’s office located in Manara Square. Soldiers reportedly placed a new military order at the site extending the shutdown of the office.
Witnesses also said Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters and stun grenades in the area surrounding the square during the operation, creating panic among residents and journalists present at the scene.
Military restrictions were further tightened at the northern entrances of Ramallah, where Israeli troops blocked major roads for several hours. The closures caused heavy traffic congestion and disrupted the movement of Palestinians across the city.
The Israeli government initially ordered the closure of Al Jazeera offices on May 5, 2024, following a proposal put forward by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi. The decision, originally issued for 45 days, has since been extended multiple times.
Tensions across the occupied West Bank have escalated sharply since October 2023, with frequent Israeli military raids and settler attacks reported in several Palestinian cities and towns. Palestinian officials say more than 1,150 Palestinians have been killed, nearly 11,750 injured, and around 22,000 detained during the ongoing escalation.
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