Israel to shut down Arab TV news station Al Jazeera; Gaza ceasefire talks continue as airstrikes hit Rafah

Gaza ceasefire talks ongoing as sources say Israel briefed US on plans for Rafah evacuation ahead of potential invasionWell-known British Palestinian surgeon who volunteered in Gaza hospitals said he was denied entry to France on Saturday to speak at a French Senate meeting about the Israel-Hamas war

An Israeli soldier's rifle is silhouetted next to posters of hostages kidnapped during the deadly October 7 attack by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas from Gaza, at Dizengoff Square, in Tel Aviv, Israel. Photo: Reuters

Nidal al-Mughrabi

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that his government has voted unanimously to shut down the local offices of Qatar-owned broadcaster Al Jazeera.

Netanyahu announced the decision on X, formerly Twitter, but details on the implications of the ban on the channel, when it would go into effect or whether the measure was permanent or temporary were not immediately clear.