Israel announced that the entry of commercial goods into Gaza is no longer taking place, which is due to financial disputes between local traders and Hamas. This action will cut off a vital source for meeting food needs and other goods in a region that is heavily dependent on humanitarian aid.
Reasons for the halt of commercial goods entry
The COGAT organization, the Israeli military body responsible for humanitarian affairs in Gaza, stated that Gaza traders have informed this body that they have decided to stop coordinating the entry of commercial goods. These traders have indicated that this decision was made in response to a fee of 10,000 shekels (equivalent to $3,220) imposed by Hamas on each truck entering Gaza, as well as a request to conduct 30 percent of their total sales in Gaza in cash.
Impacts on the humanitarian situation in Gaza
Hamas subsequently stated that the 10,000 shekel fee is considered a voluntary payment from wealthy Gazans to a national fund to support the needy, such as widows and orphans. This group also pointed out that cash payments are encouraged due to a severe liquidity shortage in this war-torn territory.
The vast majority of Gaza residents rely on humanitarian aid for food supplies. Over the past three years, this region has faced war, frequent displacements, and severe restrictions on aid delivery by Israel. A global entity warned in July that more than two-thirds of Gaza's residents may face severe hunger by the end of the year.
Nahid Shahabir, head of the private transport union in Gaza, announced that no commercial trucks entered Gaza from Israel on Thursday. However, he added that trucks carrying humanitarian aid and commercial goods from Egypt have entered Gaza through a checkpoint monitored by Israel.
COGAT stated that the decision by Gaza traders will lead to a reduction in the number of trucks entering Gaza daily, decreasing this number to about 300 trucks, which is a halving. Diplomats emphasize that the number of trucks that typically enter Gaza daily is much less than 600 trucks.
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