Israel Halts Commercial Goods Flow to Gaza

Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announced that commercial goods will no longer be allowed to enter the Gaza Strip. The suspension, communicated in a Wednesday statement, was presented as a response to complaints from Gaza merchants about Hamas-imposed fees, though the merchants’ union says the decision was made by Israeli authorities. The move cuts off a primary source of food and shelter for the enclave, which relies entirely on goods permitted through Israeli-controlled crossings.

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The conflict began in early October 2023 when Hamas fighters killed roughly 1,200 people and seized 251 hostages. Israel’s subsequent bombardment and ground operation have resulted in more than 74,000 Palestinian deaths, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants. A U.S.–brokered ceasefire established a minimum of 600 truckloads of aid per day; the ministry now estimates Gaza needs about 250 truckloads daily, far below that benchmark.

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With a population of roughly 2 million, Gaza’s reliance on a functional commercial market is critical to keep prices stable. The Norwegian Refugee Council warns that the humanitarian sector alone cannot meet the needs of all residents. Even modest disruptions, the World Food Programme notes, could quickly reverse recent gains in food security that have remained at crisis levels since famine was declared in August 2025.

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• Ministry Undersecretary Khaled Al-Raqab described the 10,000-shekel fee per truck as a “donation” to support civil-servant salaries, not a tax.

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• It remains unclear whether aid agencies will be permitted to increase shipments to offset the loss of commercial goods.

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• “The humanitarian sector on its own cannot meet the needs of all the people.” — Shaina Low, spokesperson for the Norwegian Refugee Council.

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