Citing national security, an Israeli court has approved a temporary ban on Al Jazeera

A 35-day ban on Al Jazeera operations in Israel, enforced by the government on national security grounds, was maintained by an Israeli court on Wednesday. When the ban expires on Saturday, a minister expressed his intention to extend it for an additional 45 days.

On May 5, Israeli officials seized an Al Jazeera office in a Jerusalem hotel room and declared they were closing the operation for the length of the Gaza conflict. They accused the broadcaster of inciting violence against Israel.

The claims were denied by Al Jazeera as a “dangerous and ridiculous lie” that endangered its reporters.

A 35-day suspension till June 8 was approved retroactively by the court on Wednesday.

Judge Shai Yaniv of the Tel Aviv District Court claimed to have received evidence—which he did not name—of a deep and long-standing relationship between the Qatari-backed broadcaster Al Jazeera and the Palestinian Islamist organization Hamas, accusing the latter of advancing Hamas objectives.

“During a time of conflict, it is especially important to have freedom of expression. But the latter takes precedence when there is substantial threat to state security “in his writing.

According to court filings, Al Jazeera, which has covered the battle from Gaza and condemned Israel’s military actions there, told the judge that the ban was disproportionate and that it did not encourage violence or terrorism.

In response to the claim that it had connections to Hamas, it stated that its reporters had access to several private sources on both the Israeli and Palestinian sides.

Israel is alleged by the channel to have killed multiple of its journalists in Gaza on purpose. According to Israel, it doesn’t target journalists.

Following the government’s directive on May 5, Israeli satellite and cable television companies halted Al Jazeera’s programming. The minister of communications stated on Wednesday that an additional 45 days would be added to the ban.

The United States and the UN human rights office have expressed disapproval of Al Jazeera’s Israel operation closure.

A truce and agreement to free the hostages that might put an end to the Gaza war are being mediated by Qatar, home to a number of Hamas key figures.