Footage of the moment heavily armed Israeli soldiers stormed Al Jazeera’s offices in Ramallah in the occupied West Bank and ordered its closure for 45 days, the station reported.

The video shows the network’s bureau chief Walid Omary and staff members inside as Israeli soldiers storm the building.

The video broadcast by Al Jazeera shows a soldier informing Omary about the military order to close the offices. The soldier then tells Omary that the staff members who were on night shift at the time should take their personal belongings and cameras and leave the building.

After Al Jazeera staff left the Ramallah office, live footage showed Omary and others outside in the street, as the reporter said soldiers had seized the office and seized materials.

Moments later, as Israeli soldiers approach Omary, the live video feed cuts out and Omary can be heard saying that his soldiers had taken the camera and equipment the group was using.

Hamas condemns the closure of the offices

Hamas politburo member Izzat al-Rishq condemns Israel’s decision to close Al Jazeera’s office in Ramallah.

In a press statement, the official says the measure is a “violation of freedom of the press … retaliation against the professional role [του Al Jazeera] in exposing the crimes of the occupation” and “an attempt to cover up the actions of the resistance in Gaza and Hezbollah’s targeting of military bases deep inside [ισραηλινό έδαφος]».

Al-Rishq adds that Hamas “stands in solidarity with Al Jazeera”.