Full Breakdown
Hamas Tax Demands Stall Private Truck Deliveries to Gaza
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Hamas’ New Taxation Mechanism and Merchant Suspension
Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) reported that Hamas is imposing a payment of roughly NIS 10,000 (about $3,260) on each truckload of goods brought into the Gaza Strip by private traders. The organization also requires that approximately 30 % of the cargo be sold for cash, a move COGAT says is intended to seize control of the proceeds. According to COGAT chief Maj. Gen. Yoram Halevi, the demands extend to secondary traders and could soon affect drinking-water supplies. Following these pressures, merchants announced that they would suspend coordination of their deliveries until further notice.
Effect on Gaza’s Supply Flow
Private traders are estimated to handle about half of the trucks entering Gaza each week. The ceasefire agreement sets a target of 600 trucks per day, but the suspension of private coordination threatens to reduce that volume substantially. COGAT warned that the halt could disrupt the flow of commercial goods and humanitarian items, especially as the organization plans to continue delivering aid through United Nations channels and other international donors.
Official Response and Appeals to International Actors
In a letter sent on Wednesday to senior international officials—including Nikolay Mladenov (senior Gaza representative on the Board of Peace), Maj. Gen. Jasper Jeffers (commander of the International Stabilization Force for Gaza), and Ramiz Alakbarov (UN Humanitarian Coordinator for the region)—Maj. Gen. Halevi called for immediate action to prevent Hamas from interfering with the aid-delivery mechanism. He emphasized that responsibility for any resulting shortages lies with Hamas, not Israel, and cautioned that the group may use the suspension to blame Israel for humanitarian shortfalls.
Humanitarian Outlook
COGAT’s assessment, supported by evaluations from the United Nations and other bodies, indicates that roughly 250 trucks per day delivered by humanitarian organizations are sufficient to meet Gaza’s basic needs. However, the loss of private-sector deliveries could strain that capacity, especially if the taxation scheme expands to additional commodities such as water. The situation underscores the fragility of Gaza’s supply chain amid ongoing security and political tensions.