Israel blocks websites of Beirut-based Al-Mayadeen TV
The websites of the Beirut-based, pro-Iranian TV channel Al-Mayadeen have been blocked in Israel over "security" concerns, an official said Monday, as the war in Gaza raises worries of a regional conflict.
Israel's communication minister Shlomo Karhi said the security cabinet had approved emergency measures to prevent Al-Mayadeen from harming the state's security.
"Immediately upon the cabinet approval this morning, I signed the first order to block the internet sites of Al-Mayadeen in Israel," Karhi wrote on his Facebook page.
"The broadcasts and reporters of Al-Mayadeen serve the despicable terror organizations," Karhi said.
There was no immediate comment from Al-Mayadeen in Lebanon, but the outlet's Israeli correspondent told AFP she "will abide by the law."
The Israeli minister also said he requested the army's chief of central command to apply the same measure in the occupied West Bank.
The Palestinian production company working with Al-Mayadeen in the occupied West Bank announced they had cut ties with the Lebanese channel.
A spokesman for Karhi told AFP that Al-Mayadeen television could not be blocked since it was broadcast via satellite, but that officials intended to prohibit Al-Mayadeen reporters from working in Israel.
In a Monday statement, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Al-Mayadeen has "turned into a mouthpiece of Hezbollah."
He accused the Lebanese network's journalists of "supporting terror while pretending to be reporters."
Last month, Karhi's office presented the security cabinet with a plan to close the Israeli operation of Al-Jazeera in light of "evidence" the Qatari channel was broadcasting content "that harm national security."
No measures have since been taken against Al-Jazeera.
Qatar has been key in attempts to mediate a deal that would see the release of the nearly 240 hostages taken by Hamas militants during their October 7 attack on Israel, which allegedly killed around 1,200 people, mainly civilians, according to Israeli authorities.
Israel's ensuing bombing campaign and ground invasion in Gaza has killed over 11,100 people, most of them civilians.
Near-daily exchanges of fire between Israel and militants in southern Lebanon, predominantly Hezbollah, have killed at least six Israeli soldiers and two civilians, according to the Israeli army.
Among the dead in Lebanon are at least 70 Hezbollah fighters and 11 civilians, according to an AFP count.
Source: Agence France Presse
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