The AP livestream provided a rare glimpse into the devastation in Gaza, as no independent journalists are permitted in the area. The outlet said that it followed Israeli military censorship rules, reporting that typically the livestream showed smoke rising over the area.

Officials had confiscated camera equipment from the news agency as a part of a feud with the Pan-Arab broadcaster, but the decision was reversed after the Biden administration privately expressed concerns.

The Israeli authorities confiscated camera equipment belonging to the Associated Press on Tuesday, before reversing course in the face of widespread condemnation from media groups and criticism even from its closest ally,

In a sharp reversal, Israel said Tuesday it would return camera and broadcast equipment it had seized from The Associated Press in the southern Israeli city of Sderot on Tuesday after the action prompted swift backlash from US officials and press groups.

Israeli officials claimed The Associated Press had violated a new broadcasting law by providing images of northern Gaza to Al Jazeera, the pan-Arab broadcaster that the government voted to shut down.