Hamas Plans New 'Starvation Campaign' Amid Financial Crisis

Hamas is reportedly facing a severe financial crisis, requiring approximately 90 million shekels monthly to pay its estimated 30,000 operatives, ranging from clerks to military wing members. Each operative receives an average monthly salary of 3,000 shekels. To address this deficit, Hamas has imposed heavy taxes on Gaza merchants, including those receiving goods via aid trucks. Merchants are allegedly required to pay Hamas thousands of shekels per truck, up to 10,000 shekels, and surrender 30% of a truck's sales value in cash. With around 300 aid trucks entering Gaza daily, this generates an estimated 3 million shekels per day for Hamas. However, merchants are struggling with these taxes, with many opting not to collect trucks and forfeit their goods, leading to market shortages and price increases in Gaza. Israeli security assessments indicate that Hamas plans to relaunch a "starvation campaign" similar to one conducted in the summer of 2025. This propaganda effort aims to exert political pressure on Israel, hoping the international community will oppose the U.S. administration's "Deal of the Century" plan, which includes the demilitarization of Gaza and Hamas. Israeli security officials assert that Gaza is not experiencing starvation, stating that approximately 250 aid trucks per day adequately meet the population's food needs under monitoring to prevent diversion to Hamas. Despite this, Hamas claims Israel is obstructing trade routes and merchants, and intends to leverage market shortages to gain international support.