Hamas Imposes Taxes on Gaza Merchants Amid Financial Crisis, Israel Claims
Translated & summarized from Vesty by baba
Hamas is imposing high taxes on Gaza merchants, including those receiving humanitarian aid, to fund its operations, leading to product shortages and price hikes. Israeli security forces claim Hamas plans to use this situation to launch an international campaign alleging hunger in Gaza, aiming to pressure Israel and hinder a U.S. demilitarization plan. Israel maintains that aid levels are sufficient and that Hamas is exploiting the crisis for political gain.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- Hamas requires 90 million shekels monthly to pay its 30,000 members, according to Israeli security assessments.
- Hamas is imposing heavy taxes on Gaza merchants, causing product shortages and price increases.
- Israel anticipates Hamas will launch a new campaign alleging hunger in Gaza to pressure Israel.
- The alleged campaign aims to derail the U.S. plan for Gaza's demilitarization and Hamas's disarmament.
- Israeli officials state Gaza is not experiencing famine, with sufficient aid if properly distributed.
- Hamas is accused of blaming Israel for trade issues while exploiting market shortages for political gain.
Hamas is facing a significant financial crisis, requiring approximately 90 million shekels monthly to pay its estimated 30,000 members, according to Israeli security assessments. To address this, the organization has imposed heavy taxes on Palestinian merchants in Gaza, including those receiving goods through humanitarian aid shipments. Merchants must pay thousands of shekels per truck, potentially up to 10,000 shekels, and also surrender 30% of their earnings in cash. This has led some merchants to refuse deliveries, causing shortages and price increases in Gaza's markets.
Israeli security forces believe Hamas intends to leverage this situation for political and informational purposes. They anticipate Hamas will launch a new international campaign, similar to one in summer 2025, alleging widespread hunger in Gaza. This campaign, according to Israeli officials, aims to increase diplomatic pressure on Israel and potentially derail the U.S. plan for Gaza's demilitarization and Hamas's disarmament.
Israeli authorities assert that Gaza is not currently experiencing famine, with daily aid shipments of around 250 trucks sufficient for the population if properly monitored to prevent diversion to Hamas. They highlight that Hamas demands significant payments from merchants while simultaneously blaming Israel for hindering trade and blocking routes. Israeli sources suggest Hamas will use the market shortages to bolster its international standing and garner global support, framing its financial struggles and the aid dispute as part of a larger conflict over Gaza's future governance and the U.S. peace plan.
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