News | Israel-Palestine Conflict 

Israeli authorities impose shutdown on Al Jazeera's bureau in West Bank

At 3 am Israeli forces with heavy weapons raided Al Jazeera's bureau in Ramallah, located in West Bank. The armed forces order the closure of the office for 45 days. The soldiers dictated all the night shift employees to leave the bureau and they could carry only their personal belongings with them. This incident was reported live on television.

Location of the office:

Al Jazeera's head office is in Area - A of the West Bank. In 1993 Oslo Accords West Bank was divided into three parts. The agreement was signed by the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) and Israel.

Israeli forces issued a notice to the head of the bureau, Walid al-Omari, for shutdown even though the bureau is located in Area A which is under Palestinian control as per the Oslo Accords.

Area A: Under full Palestinian control.

Area B: Under joint Palestine-Israel control; civil control under Palestine and security control under Israel.

Area C: Under full Israeli control

Notice:

The notice directing 45 days closure has been issued by the Israeli military asking employees to immediately leave the office and to take personal belongings and cameras. The decision is a military order from the commander of the central area in the Israeli military.

How could Israel order the closure of a news broadcaster in an area under Palestinian Control?