Israel says no commercial goods have entered Gaza for two days amid a dispute over fees and cash payments, while Hamas says the accusation is false. The halt threatens supplies for 2.1 million people already facing famine and winter shortages.
01Summary
- 01COGAT said on Wednesday that commercial goods had not entered Gaza for two days because of a dispute involving local merchants and Hamas.
- 02Israel claimed Hamas imposed a 10,000 shekel fee on each truck and demanded 30 per cent of Gaza sales be made in cash.
- 03Gaza’s government media office rejected the claims on Thursday and said the fee was a voluntary payment to support aid for widows and orphans.
- 04The suspension affects shipments including fruit and winter clothing, which are a key source of food and other supplies for Gaza’s 2.1 million people.
- 05Israel is required under a US-mediated agreement to allow at least 600 humanitarian aid trucks into Gaza each day, but diplomats say far fewer usually enter.
02Why it matters
The halt could make food, clothing and other essentials scarcer and more expensive in Gaza as winter approaches. It also raises pressure on aid deliveries in a territory where people are already highly dependent on crossings.
Pulse AIAsk about this story
Answers are generated by AI from the story summary; they are not investment, health or legal advice.
