BETHLEHEM, August 21, 2008 (MENASSAT) – The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) conducted an incursion into the West Bank town of Khalil yesterday, shutting down a TV station and two radio stations. The Israeli's also confiscated broadcasting equipment and arrested two radio station employees during separate raids.

Eyewitnesses said a military unit broke into One FM and arrested director Mohammad Kafiesha, and confiscated equipment.

The Israeli military also stormed the offices of Minbar Al-Houriya radio, and confiscated broadcasting equipment. Mahmoud Qaniebi, a station employee, was taken into custody. Both detainees were taken to an unknown destination.

Israeli forces also raided Al-Majd television, breaking down the doors and interrupting transmission, effectively shutting down three broadcast outlets. Al-Majd's broadcasting towers belong to Beit Lahm 2000 radio, which services the BBC. The Israeli military also confiscated broadcasting equipment.

Dia Qawasimi from Minbar radio told MENASSAT, "We were on air doing a program when the soldiers barbarically broke in, and forced us to leave the building and stopped our program at gun point."

Dia said the soldiers threw a broadcasting device worth $25,000 down the stairs in an attempt to damage it. When he tried to protest, they told him to file a complaint with the police.

He added that the Israeli military claimed Minbar's radio broadcast interfered with Ben Gurion airport's radio transmissions.

The Israeli military has made no statement concerning the raids.

(Fadi Abu Sada – Palestine News Network / MENASSAT)