Israeli occupation forces shut down Palestinian radio over 'incitement'

Israel shut down a radio station it accused of inciting violence, the military said on Wednesday, in the latest raid on Palestinian media.

Authorities raided the al-Sanabel radio station in Dura near Hebron, occupied West Bank, arresting five employees including the director, Palestinian police confirmed.

The overnight operation left the studio empty after occupying forces seized an array of broadcast equipment.

A notice demanding the station be closed for three months was given by Israeli forces who broke the door down during the raid, Palestinian police said.

Israel blamed the station for “incitement” of violence however failed to provide examples of content that led to the raid.

"The radio station has repeatedly broadcast inciting content encouraging, celebrating and promoting violence and terrorism against Israelis," she said.

At least four other Palestinian radio or TV stations have been raided and shut down by Israeli forces since a wave of violence erupted in the area last October.

The violence has killed 222 Palestinians, 34 Israelis, two Americans, an Eritrean and a Sudanese, according to an AFP tally, although it has steadily declined in recent months.

Most of the Palestinian victims were shot dead during protests and clashes, while some were killed by Israeli airstrikes in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinians say decades of Israeli occupation and settlement-building in the West Bank, the complete lack of progress in peace efforts and their own fractured leadership have fuelled frustration leading to unrest.