Palestinian Authority Halts Al Jazeera Operations

The Palestinian Authority has temporarily suspended Al Jazeera's operations, accusing the network of inciting strife with its coverage of tensions in the West Bank's Jenin camp. The ban, criticized by Al Jazeera, is not set for Gaza, and follows similar actions from Israel against the broadcaster.

The Palestinian Authority has halted Qatar's Al Jazeera broadcasts, accusing the network of spreading "inciting material," according to the Palestinian news agency WAFA. The temporary decision was made by the culture, interior, and communications ministers, condemning the channel for "deceiving and stirring strife." The specifics of the allegations were not disclosed.

Al Jazeera faced criticism from the Palestinian Authority due to its reporting on the confrontation between Palestinian security forces and militants in Jenin camp, located in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. In response, Al Jazeera called the halt an attempt to hinder its journalism in reporting on developments in the occupied territories, urging the authority to reconsider the decision.

The broadcaster emphasized journalists' right to report freely in the West Bank. The Palestinian Authority's control in Gaza is minimal, where this decision is not expected to take effect. Fatah urged Palestinians against cooperating with the network, following an Israeli military raid and subsequent shutdown of Al Jazeera's West Bank operations.

(With inputs from agencies.)