World
Israel Stops Commercial Trucks to Gaza Amid Tax Dispute Claims
Israel has halted the entry of commercial trucks into Gaza, including those carrying fruit and winter clothing, for two days. The Israeli military body COGAT said the pause was due to a tax dispute between local merchants and Hamas. COGAT claimed that merchants had decided to stop shipments in response to a 10,000‑shekel ($3,220) fee that Hamas allegedly imposed on each truck entering Gaza and a demand that 30 percent of all sales in Gaza be conducted in cash. The move is expected to affect a vital source of food and goods for the 2.1 million people in the Strip, who rely entirely on Israel’s border crossings in a territory still suffering from famine.
Gaza’s government media office denied the claims on Thursday, calling the allegations a “blatant disinformation campaign and false statement.” It said the fee was a voluntary payment to a fund that provides aid to widows and orphans and that cash payments were encouraged because of an acute cash shortage, but were never mandatory.
The suspension of commercial shipments cuts off a key source of food and other supplies as winter approaches. Aid groups typically bring staples such as flour, while merchants import perishable foods like fruit and meat, according to data released earlier this year by COGAT. Humanitarian workers say a combination of aid and a functioning commercial market is needed to keep prices under control. “The humanitarian sector on its own cannot meet the needs of all the people,” said Shaina Low, a spokesperson for the Norwegian Refugee Council. “The markets need to be functioning.”
The head of Gaza’s private truckers union, Nahed Sheheiber, denied the Israeli narrative, saying that the Israelis were the ones who imposed the restrictions. Following COGAT’s announcement, Sheheiber’s union met with Gaza’s Ministry of Economy to express concern and say Israel was using fees levied by the ministry as a pretext to cut off commercial goods.
A global hunger monitor warned in July that more than two‑thirds of people in Gaza could face acute hunger by the end of the year. Israel is obliged under a U.S.–mediated agreement to allow a minimum of 600 trucks carrying humanitarian aid to enter Gaza each day, but diplomats say far fewer than 600 trucks normally enter each day. Sheheiber said the figure was closer to 300, with two‑thirds carrying commercial goods.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Israel halt commercial trucks to Gaza?
COGAT said the pause was due to a tax dispute between local merchants and Hamas, involving a 10,000‑shekel fee per truck and a demand that 30% of sales be in cash.
What does Gaza’s government say about the fee?
Gaza’s government media office calls the fee a voluntary payment to a fund for widows and orphans and says cash payments are encouraged but not mandatory.
How many trucks does Israel allow into Gaza daily for humanitarian aid?
Israel is obliged under a U.S.–mediated agreement to allow a minimum of 600 aid trucks per day, but the actual number is closer to 300.