Hamas Earning Millions Daily from Gaza Aid Trucks, Expert Proposes Solutions
Translated & summarized from Maariv by baba
Hamas is reportedly earning 3 million shekels daily by extorting Gaza's private sector and aid truck operators, according to Lt. Col. (res.) Amit Yagur. The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories revealed Hamas's demands for fees and cash sales from merchants. Yagur proposes sanctions on money changers, direct aid distribution, and facilitating voluntary emigration from Gaza to cripple Hamas financially.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Hamas earns an estimated 3 million shekels daily through extortion of Gaza's private sector and aid trucks.
- Hamas security forces demanded fees and forced cash sales from merchants, arresting those who refused.
- The private sector accounts for half of Gaza's weekly goods, with Hamas exploiting this for significant revenue.
- Lt. Col. (res.) Amit Yagur suggests sanctions, direct aid, and voluntary emigration to counter Hamas.
- Maj. Gen. Yoram Haimi revealed Hamas's extortion tactics impacting aid truck entries.
- The proposed solutions aim to cut Hamas's financial lifeline and potentially lead to its collapse.
Hamas is reportedly generating approximately 3 million shekels daily from the private sector in Gaza, primarily through extortion related to incoming aid trucks, according to an analysis by Lt. Col. (res.) Amit Yagur. The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Maj. Gen. Yoram Haimi, revealed that Hamas security forces were demanding around 10,000 shekels per truck and forcing merchants to sell 30% of their goods for cash. Merchants who refused faced arrest along with their families.
The private sector accounts for about 50% of goods entering Gaza weekly. If 600 trucks entered daily, roughly 300 would be from the private sector, leading to an estimated daily revenue of 3 million shekels for Hamas from this source alone, totaling around 90 million shekels per month. This income allows Hamas to pay its operatives and maintain its control mechanisms.
Yagur argues that official responses from COGAT are insufficient and proposes a fundamental shift in strategy. His recommendations include publicly identifying and sanctioning money changers involved in Hamas's money laundering schemes, ensuring direct distribution of aid by supervised international companies to bypass Hamas's collection mechanisms, and opening exit points like the Rafah crossing and sea routes.
Furthermore, Yagur suggests establishing an international fund to provide a resettlement package for families choosing voluntary emigration to a third country. He believes that without a population, Hamas's financial lifeline would be cut, potentially leading to the organization's collapse without further military action and paving the way for a comprehensive restructuring of Gaza's future.
