Israel halts commercial goods entering Gaza amid dispute over Hamas taxes

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 16 Oct, 11:58 · Archive

Israeli authorities have halted commercial shipments to Gaza, citing a tax dispute between local merchants and Hamas. COGAT, the Israeli military body overseeing humanitarian affairs in Gaza, announced the suspension on Wednesday.

COGAT claimed that merchants requested the halt in response to a 10,000 shekel (approximately $3,220) fee imposed by Hamas on each truck entering Gaza, as well as a requirement that 30 percent of all sales be conducted in cash. Gaza's government media office rejected these claims as a 'blatant disinformation campaign', saying any fees were voluntary payments to a fund providing aid to widows and orphans. It stated that cash payments were encouraged due to acute cash shortages but were never mandatory.

The suspension cuts off a key source of food and supplies including fruit, meat and winter clothing for Gaza's 2.1 million people, who rely entirely on Israeli border crossings. Aid groups typically provide staples such as flour, while merchants import more perishable goods. Humanitarian workers say a functioning commercial market is essential to keep prices under control, with the Norwegian Refugee Council noting that 'the humanitarian sector on its own cannot meet the needs of all the people'. The move raises concerns ahead of the approaching winter, particularly as earlier reports indicated conditions in Gaza remained at crisis levels despite improvements since famine was declared in August 2025.

How it is being reported

• Israel stops commercial goods from entering GazaCOGAT says merchants asked them to stop shipments over Hamas taxes, but truckers deny this and say Israel is to blameIndependent World · 16 Oct, 11:27
• Israel halts commercial goods from entering Gaza; Hamas denies tax claimsThe halt to commercial shipments, including fruit and winter clothing, cuts off a key source of critical supplies.Al Jazeera · 15 Oct, 22:57

In this story: Israel · Gaza · Hamas · COGAT · Norwegian Refugee Council

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem