The Palestinian Authority says it has suspended broadcasting by the prominent Arab channel Al Jazeera in parts of the occupied West Bank, citing incitement and bias. Qatari-owned Al Jazeera expressed shock and denounced the decision as "an attempt to hide the truth about events in the occupied territories".

The authority’s official news media accused the Qatari-backed broadcaster of “inciting sedition” and “interfering in internal Palestinian affairs,” though it did not provide detailed examples of law breaking.

The Palestinian Authority suspended the Al Jazeera news channel from working in the West Bank, citing unspecified breaches of “laws and regulations.”

The ban comes as the PA battles militants from Hamas and its allies for control over parts of the West Bank, a fight that could shape the struggle for leadership of the Palestinian cause.

The Palestinian Authority temporarily halted operations of Qatar's Al Jazeera television in the territory including its broadcasts, citing the network's dissemination of "inciting material," the Palestinian news agency WAFA said on Wednesday.

The Palestinian Authority's Ministerial Committee said Wednesday it has temporarily suspended Al Jazeera's broadcast operations in Palestine.

Al Jazeera has accused the Palestinian Authority of trying to “hide the truth” about its crackdown on militants in the occupied West Bank after officials suspended the Qatari broadcaster’s operations in the territory.