5 months ago
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Israel's security cabinet voted Sunday to close the Lebanese Al Mayadeen satellite news station claiming it is the 'mouthpiece of Hezbollah'.
The decision follows emergency regulations passed last month, granting the government the authority to shutter foreign news outlets perceived to be detrimental to national security.
Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi initiated the request to cease Al Mayadeen's operations, asserting that the station's broadcasts "serves the interests of Israel's enemies". Amid the war in Gaza, Karhi justified the decision by stating, "Israel is at war on land, in the air, at sea, in cyberspace, on the airwaves, and in the public consciousness."
Thousands of Hamas militia invaded Israel on October 7, murdering at least 1,200 mostly civilians and capturing around 240 more as hostages. Deadly airstrikes by Israel have led to the death of thousands as the Jewish state vows to rid the Strip of the group proscribed by countries including the UK and US.
Initially targeting Al Jazeera as well, Karhi's efforts faced complications due to Qatar's involvement in negotiations to release the hostages held by Iran-backed Hamas in Gaza, which include babies and the elderly.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant recommended the closure, emphasizing that steps were necessary to counter the network, which he described as the "mouthpiece of the Hezbollah terrorist organization," Iran's biggest Middle East proxy.
An immediate order has been issued to block Al Mayadeen's online operations in Israel, with a subsequent order to seize and confiscate its broadcasting equipment.
