“There are court orders to close Al Jazeera for 45 days,” an Israeli soldier told local bureau chief Walid al-Omari during the military action, which the channel broadcast live.
The channel’s employees were told to take their equipment and leave the office immediately.
Earlier this year Al Jazeera was banned in Israel. Israel accuses the channel of spreading false content.
Israel has not commented on the action. The channel covers the war between Israel and Hamas non-stop since Hamas’ terrorist attack on Israel almost a year ago, and often reproduces statements from Hamas and other groups that Israel sees as terrorists.
Israel claims that the canal endangers the security of Israel and its soldiers. The channel, whose biggest financier is Qatar, has denied the allegations.
The channel continues to broadcast from Amman in Jordan after the closure in Ramallah.