Qatar-based network Al Jazeera on Sunday described as “criminal” an Israeli government ban against it for its coverage of the Gaza war.

“We condemn and denounce this criminal act by Israel that violates the human right to access information,” the channel said, adding that it would take legal action.

Al Jazeera said it would “pursue all available legal channels through international legal institutions in its quest to protect both its rights and journalists, as well as the public’s right to information”.

“Israel’s ongoing suppression of the free press, seen as an effort to conceal its actions in the Gaza Strip, stands in contravention of international and humanitarian law,” the broadcaster said.

“Israel’s direct targeting and killing of journalists, arrests, intimidation and threats will not deter Al Jazeera from its commitment to cover,.”

The network’s office in Gaza has been bombed in the conflict and two of its correspondents have been killed.

Al Jazeera said its crew accreditations had been withdrawn and Israel had banned media service providers from transmitting its broadcasts.

(Source: The National)