France works to halt Hamas TV station, broadcasts continue
Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke with French President Hollande, who attempted to close down the Al-Aqsa channel, run by the Gaza-based terror organization. Its broadcasts used the services of a French satellite provider.
Israel's embassy in Paris reported Saturday morning that the company was stopping the channel's broadcasts, and PM Netanyahu thanked President Hollande for helping combat incitement against Israelis and Jews. However, Hamas managed to quickly find a solution through Egyptian satellite provider Nilesat, continuing broadcasts as usual.
On the night between Thursday and Friday, IDF forces raided the offices of Islamic Jihad-affiliated TV station Falestine al-Youm ("Palestine Today") in al-Bireh near Ramallah, confiscating equipment. At the same time, the IDF arrested the station's West Bank director Farouk Alian at his home. However, the channel, which is one of the most popular among Palestinian viewers, keeps broadcasting from its Gaza offices.
Ever since current escalations began, Falestine al-Youm has been inciting to violence, encouraging Palestinians to commit terror attacks and confront security forces. The station has also praised terrorists who performed attacks against Israel. It has reporters and photographers in the West Bank, bit its broadcasting infrastructure is in Gaza, and thus they continue.
