Israeli security cabinet approves shutting down Al-Mayadeen

The Israeli government's security cabinet has on Monday approved an order by communications minister Shlomo Karhi to block broadcasters "threatening national security", close their offices and confiscate broadcasting equipment. 

Karhi has since signed an order to close down Lebanese broadcaster Al-Mayadeen's operations in Israel and the occupied West Bank. 

The network, which is affiliated with Hezbollah, will have its website and offices shut down, and its equipment seized. 

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said Al-Mayadeen was "the mouthpiece of the terrorist organisation Hezbollah and its leader."

Nasser al-Laham, director of Al-Mayadeen's Palestine bureau, said it would "continue to broadcast the events, whatever the cabinet's decision is."