The Israeli military has accused six Al Jazeera journalists based in Gaza of being fighters in Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, providing what it claims is evidence to support the allegations. Al Jazeera strongly denies the accusations, calling them 'fabricated evidence' and part of a long history of Israeli hostility towards the network. The news organization is seen by many in Israel as being close to Hamas, and critics argue that it amplifies the armed group's perspective. Israel has taken steps to crack down on Al Jazeera, including passing a new security law to shutter many of its operations in the country.