Brief
Israel halts commercial shipments to Gaza, citing disputed tax fee
Israeli authorities say a fee imposed by Hamas led to the halt, which Hamas calls disinformation.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announced on Wednesday that no commercial goods have entered Gaza for two days, saying the pause is a response to a tax dispute between local merchants and Hamas, according to Al Jazeera.
What happened
COGAT said merchants in Gaza decided to stop shipments after Hamas allegedly imposed a 10,000‑shekel fee on each truck and demanded that 30 percent of all sales be paid in cash. The halt affects fruit, winter clothing and other supplies that Gaza’s 2.1 million residents rely on, according to the outlet.
What the reports add
Al Jazeera reports that the Israeli military body overseeing humanitarian affairs framed the decision as a reaction to the fee, while Gaza’s government media office refuted the claim on Thursday, calling it a “blatant disinformation campaign.” The media office said the fee was a voluntary contribution to an aid fund for widows and orphans and that cash payments were encouraged because of an acute cash shortage, not mandated.
What was said
COGAT officials said merchants “made the decision in response to a 10,000 shekel ($3,220) fee imposed by Hamas on each truck entering Gaza” and a demand for cash sales. Gaza’s media office said the statements were false and aimed to hold Gaza’s government responsible for the disruption.
How it came about
The halt follows a series of Israeli actions aimed at weakening Hamas’s financial network, including a September 25 operation that dismantled a billion‑dollar financing structure (Felo coverage). The current dispute adds a new layer to the humanitarian strain already highlighted in earlier Felo reports on Gaza’s crisis.
Key facts
- COGAT announced a two‑day halt to commercial goods entering Gaza. (aljazeera.com)
- Israeli officials say the halt responds to a 10,000 shekel fee imposed by Hamas on each truck. (aljazeera.com)
- Gaza’s media office denies the fee claim, calling it disinformation. (aljazeera.com)
- The suspension affects fruit, winter clothing and other essential supplies for 2.1 million people. (aljazeera.com)
Sources
- [1] aljazeera.com — originally reported as “Israel halts commercial goods from entering Gaza; Hamas denies tax claims”
