The Palestinian Authority has suspended the operations of the Al Jazeera news channel in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, citing unspecified breaches of “laws and regulations,” according to a statement Thursday from the office of Mohammad Mustafa,

The ban comes as the PA battles militants from Hamas and its allies for control over parts of the West Bank, a fight that could shape the struggle for leadership of the Palestinian cause.

The Palestinian Authority's Ministerial Committee said Wednesday it has temporarily suspended Al Jazeera's broadcast operations in Palestine.

Al Jazeera’s West Bank operations will be suspended by the Palestinian Authority following coverage of its clashes with terror groups.

The authority’s official news media accused the Qatari-backed broadcaster of “inciting sedition” and “interfering in internal Palestinian affairs,” though it did not provide detailed examples of law breaking.

Israeli forces detained more than 240 Palestinians including dozens of medical staff from a north Gaza hospital they raided on Friday, including its director, according to the Health Ministry in the enclave and Israel's military.

The network said the move is an attempt to dissuade it from covering the rapidly escalating events taking place.

The Palestinian Authority says it has suspended broadcasting by the prominent Arab channel Al Jazeera in parts of the occupied West Bank, citing incitement and bias. Qatari-owned Al Jazeera expressed shock and denounced the decision as "an attempt to hide the truth about events in the occupied territories".

The decision to suspend the Qatar-funded network comes after Israel shuttered two of its offices, claiming it was a "mouthpiece of Hamas".View on euronews

The Palestinian Authority has ordered the suspension of broadcasts by Al Jazeera in a move the Qatar-based television network condemned on Thursday as reminiscent of Israeli practices.The network condemned the decision,