Israel says commercial goods not entering Gaza over Hamas tax dispute
The Israeli military says merchants have suspended coordination for the entry of goods into Gaza 'until further notice' because of what it described as Hamas coercion.
Jerusalem - Israel has accused Hamas of blocking commercial goods from entering Gaza, demanding around 10,000 shekels (US$3,200) per truck and forcing traders to pay taxes in cash. The claim contradicts Hamas, which denies imposing any taxes or fees on commercial trucks. Cogat, the Israeli defense ministry agency, reported that Hamas' coercion has caused merchants to suspend entry of goods into Gaza.
The suspension threatens to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, a territory surrounded by Israel, Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea. Hamas has rejected the allegations, stating the 10,000-shekel figure referred to a voluntary community fund, not a tax or fee. The Israeli defense agency emphasized that the private sector accounts for half of all trucks entering Gaza and warned the suspension could undermine the ceasefire agreement.
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