Israel Facilitates Hamas Revenue Stream Via Gaza Aid Trucks
Translated & summarized from Walla by baba
Hamas is allegedly collecting up to 90 million shekels monthly by taxing commercial goods entering Gaza, according to Israel's COGAT. While Israel permits 600 trucks daily, only 250 are deemed necessary for humanitarian aid, with Hamas taxing the rest. Hamas reportedly uses intimidation for tax collection and forces merchants to sell goods for cash, bypassing bank transfers to fund its operations. COGAT warns Hamas is using this system to strengthen itself economically and militarily.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Hamas is reportedly generating up to 90 million shekels monthly by taxing commercial goods entering Gaza.
- Israel's COGAT estimates only 250 aid trucks daily are needed, while 600 are permitted.
- Hamas uses intimidation, including violence and imprisonment, to collect taxes from merchants.
- Merchants are allegedly forced to sell 30% of cargo for cash, bypassing bank transfers.
- COGAT warns Hamas is exploiting the goods entry to strengthen itself economically and militarily.
Hamas is reportedly generating substantial revenue, estimated at up to 90 million shekels per month, by imposing taxes on commercial goods entering the Gaza Strip, according to a statement from the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT). The process involves Hamas officials using intimidation tactics, including physical violence and imprisonment, to enforce tax payments from merchants. This system, described as Hamas's "tax authority," operates without formal procedures and with severe collection methods.
The revelation comes from a letter sent by COGAT Major General Yoram Levy to international officials. The letter highlights that while Israel agreed to allow 600 trucks daily into Gaza as part of a ceasefire, COGAT estimates that only about 250 trucks per day, supplied by the UN and international organizations, are needed to meet humanitarian requirements. The remaining trucks are largely commercial, with Hamas reportedly taxing approximately 300 such trucks daily.
Further complicating matters, Hamas allegedly mandates that merchants sell about 30% of their cargo for cash, circumventing agreed-upon bank transfers and allowing Hamas to access more funds for its operations. Hamas's tax collection methods are expanding, with plans to extend them to water supplies. The influx of goods includes not only essential food items but also luxury products like chocolates and energy drinks, contributing to a significant drop in prices within Gaza, which COGAT itself has noted.
COGAT warns that Hamas is exploiting the goods entry mechanism for economic and military strengthening and urges the UN and the international community to intervene. While Israel does not directly transfer funds to Hamas, the current policy effectively enables the terrorist organization to receive vast sums of cash, raising questions about Israel's role in facilitating this revenue stream.
