Full Breakdown
Halt of Commercial Goods into Gaza Amid Tax Dispute Raises Humanitarian Alarm
By Drooid · · How we work
The Suspension Explained
On October 15, Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announced that commercial freight had stopped entering the Gaza Strip. The halt resulted from a “tax dispute” between Gaza’s private-sector merchants and Hamas. Merchants faced a 10,000-shekel (? $3,220) fee per truck and a demand that 30 % of sales be conducted in cash. The suspension cuts the daily flow of trucks to an estimated 300, roughly half the 600-truck minimum stipulated by the U.S.–mediated ceasefire.
Background & Context
The ceasefire that began in October 2023 eased large-scale fighting but left Gaza heavily dependent on external aid. Israel maintains a land, sea and air blockade that restricts food, water, fuel and medical supplies. Humanitarian agencies have warned that any disruption to commercial and aid corridors could reverse recent gains against famine.
Data & Statistics
- 466 deaths from malnutrition and starvation since 2024, including 157 children.
- 158,001 cases of acute malnutrition among children under five between 2024 and August 2026, with 28,716 severe.
- Expected daily truck volume of 250 loads, far below the 600-truck minimum required by the ceasefire.
Official Statements & Responses
COGAT emphasized that Israel did not initiate the suspension, attributing the decision to merchants’ fear of Hamas-imposed taxation and threats. It noted that humanitarian aid continues to enter Gaza through the United Nations and other donors.
Nickolay Mladenov, high representative of the U.S.–backed Board of Peace for Gaza, condemned the “intimidation of merchants” and called the practices “unacceptable.” He argued that the episode underscores the urgency of deploying the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG) and the International Stabilisation Force.
Hamas, through a Gaza government media office, dismissed Israel’s claim as “baseless” and described the fee as a voluntary contribution to support widows and orphans.
Shaina Low, spokesperson for the Norwegian Refugee Council, said the humanitarian sector alone cannot meet all needs and that functioning markets are essential to keep prices affordable.
Criticism & Opposition
He reported that no Israeli-origin commercial trucks entered Gaza on the day of the announcement, though humanitarian trucks and Egyptian-origin commercial goods did pass through an Israeli-controlled crossing.
The Palestinian Health Ministry called for unrestricted entry of food and medicine, labeling Israel’s explanation a “blatant disinformation campaign.”
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Who halted shipments? Israel and COGAT claim merchants stopped coordination; Gaza’s transport union and the Palestinian Ministry of Economy allege Israel imposed the halt.
- Truck numbers: COGAT estimates a reduction to 300 trucks daily; the ceasefire agreement requires 600 humanitarian trucks, but exact pre-suspension figures vary.
- Financial demands: COGAT cites a $3,200 fee per truck, while other reports mention a 10,000-shekel fee; both figures appear in different statements without reconciliation.
Why It Matters
The interruption of commercial freight threatens to exacerbate an already severe nutrition crisis. With 466 starvation deaths and a large proportion of Gaza’s two-million residents facing crisis-level food insecurity, the loss of a market channel that supplies perishable foods and winter clothing could push acute malnutrition rates higher. UNICEF and other agencies stress that predictable, continuous flows of both commercial and humanitarian goods are essential to prevent a reversal of the modest progress made since the ceasefire.
