In a recent development, Israel's communications minister, Shlomo Karhi, has ordered that a camera and broadcasting equipment seized from The Associated Press (AP) news agency should be returned. The equipment was confiscated by Israeli officials on Tuesday, who accused the AP of violating a new media law by providing images to Al Jazeera, a Qatari-owned media network.

Following the seizure of the equipment, the decision was condemned by various journalism organizations, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, and the White House. However, Karhi announced late on Tuesday that he has ordered the cancellation of the action and the subsequent return of the equipment to the AP.

Karhi also stated that the Ministry of Defence would conduct a review of news outlets' positioning of live video feeds from Gaza. Al Jazeera, among thousands of clients, receives live video feeds from the AP and other news organizations.

While the AP expressed satisfaction with the return of their equipment, concerns remain about the Israeli government's use of the foreign broadcaster law and the ability of independent journalists to operate freely in Israel, according to Lauren Easton, vice president of corporate communications at the AP.

The incident took place in the southern town of Sderot, where officials from the Communications Ministry arrived at the AP's location on Tuesday afternoon. They handed the news agency a letter, signed by Minister Shlomo Karhi, alleging that the AP was violating the country's foreign broadcaster law.

Prior to the seizure, the AP had been broadcasting a general view of the famine-struck northern Gaza, where Israeli forces continue their ground and aerial assault. The AP stated that they comply with Israel's military censorship rules, ensuring that they do not broadcast details such as troop movements that could endanger soldiers.

The move to seize equipment followed a verbal order on Thursday to cease live transmission, a demand that the AP refused to comply with. The actions of the Israeli government were called "an act of madness" by opposition leader Yair Lapid, while the White House expressed concern over the development, emphasizing the importance of journalists' ability to carry out their work.

Hamas, the Palestinian group, also denounced the seizure, condemning it as a recurring, arbitrary, and oppressive act against press freedom. They alleged that the move aimed to cover up crimes committed by Israeli forces against Palestinians.

It is noteworthy that on May 5, the Israeli cabinet unanimously voted to shut down Al Jazeera in the country, with immediate closure of its offices and a ban on its broadcasts and websites. This decision came after the passing of a law in April, which allows Israel to temporarily shut down foreign media outlets, including Al Jazeera, if they pose a security threat.

Israel's relationship with Al Jazeera has long been strained, with Israel accusing the network of bias and collaboration with Hamas. Al Jazeera, based in Qatar, has consistently rejected these accusations. Notably, they remain one of the few international news outlets still operating in Gaza, providing coverage of the ongoing assault.

According to Palestinian health officials, the assault by Israel on Gaza has resulted in the deaths of at least 35,647 people, mostly women and children, since October. Israel initiated the war on October 7 as a response to an attack led by Hamas on southern Israel, resulting in the reported deaths of at least 1,139 people, according to an Al Jazeera tally based on Israeli statistics.