The Palestinian Authority has suspended the operations of the Al Jazeera news channel in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, citing unspecified breaches of “laws and regulations,” according to a statement Thursday from the office of Mohammad Mustafa,

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 has ordered the suspension of broadcasts by Al Jazeera in a move the Qatar-based television network condemned on Thursday as reminiscent of Israeli practices.The network condemned the decision,