'Blatant violation of press freedom': Hamas condemns closure of Al Jazeera

Hamas condemned the Israeli decision to shut down Al Jazeera in its territory calling it a "blatant violation of press freedom".

In a press release, the Palestinian group said the move was repressive and retaliatory against Al Jazeera for its role in exposing Israeli crimes in Gaza. 

The closure "reveals the falsehood of the occupying entity's claim of freedom of the press" and "constitutes a grave violation and suppression of freedoms", Hamas said. 

"We strongly condemn this decision, and call on international rights and press institutions to condemn it and to take punitive measures against the Zionist entity, including cancelling its membership in international press institutions," it added.