Hamas Imposing $2,500 Tax Per Truck Entering Gaza, Israel Claims
Translated & summarized from i24NEWS French by baba
Israel's COGAT claims Hamas is imposing a tax of approximately 10,000 shekels ($2,500) per truck on goods entering Gaza. Merchants cited by COGAT report threats and demands for cash payments, leading them to suspend delivery coordination. This could hinder the flow of goods, impacting a ceasefire goal of 600 trucks daily.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Hamas is reportedly demanding 10,000 shekels ($2,500) per truck entering Gaza, according to COGAT.
- Merchants are allegedly being threatened by Hamas for refusing to pay the new levies.
- The private sector, responsible for half of Gaza's weekly truck entries, has suspended delivery coordination.
- The levies could complicate the delivery of goods, impacting a ceasefire target of 600 trucks daily.
- COGAT claims the tax system may soon extend to water supplies and second-tier merchants.
Israel's Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) claims the Hamas militant group is imposing levies on goods entering the Gaza Strip. In a letter sent to international officials on Wednesday, COGAT's head, Major General Yoram Halevi, stated that Hamas is demanding approximately 10,000 shekels, equivalent to nearly 2,500 euros, from private merchants for each truck.
According to merchants cited by COGAT, Hamas is threatening those who refuse to pay and is demanding that about 30% of goods be sold for cash payments to control revenue. These practices reportedly violate the commitments of authorized merchants, who are obligated to conduct transactions via bank transfer. The private sector accounts for roughly half of the trucks entering Gaza weekly.
Merchants have announced the suspension of their delivery coordination until further notice due to these demands. This decision could complicate the flow of goods, particularly as a ceasefire agreement aims for 600 trucks per day. COGAT further alleges that the levy system extends to second-tier merchants and may soon encompass the supply of drinking water. These assertions are based on reports from merchants relayed by COGAT.
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