Israel Resumes Gradual Coordination for Gaza Private Sector Trucks

Israel announced on Monday a gradual resumption of coordination with private sector traders to allow goods into the Gaza Strip, prioritizing winter supplies and essential items. This move comes with new financial transaction conditions for traders and a threat to revoke permits for those accused of funneling funds to Hamas, continuing existing Israeli restrictions on goods entering Gaza.

Yoram Halyvi, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, stated in a message to Gaza residents that the coordination would restart gradually after a several-day halt. He claimed traders had suspended their activities in protest against Hamas's threats and demands for payments per truck. Halyvi alleged that Hamas had backed down from demanding approximately 10,000 shekels per truck and from insisting on cash-only sales, citing what he called circulating information that the group itself announced the cancellation of these demands after denying Israeli accusations.

Halyvi also announced that Israel would mandate that traders conduct and receive payments solely through bank transfers. He threatened to revoke work permits for any trader proven, by Israeli standards, to be involved in transferring money to Hamas. He further claimed Hamas seeks to exploit the aid mechanism to bolster its economic and military capabilities, while affirming Israel's continued coordination with the UN and international organizations for goods and aid entry.

This announcement follows Halyvi's previous statement suggesting Israel might not adhere to the truck numbers stipulated in the ceasefire agreement, citing accusations of Hamas imposing levies on traders and threatening them. In a message published by the Israeli Foreign Ministry on Sunday, Halyvi claimed that 250 trucks daily suffice for Gaza's humanitarian needs, despite the ceasefire agreement specifying 600 trucks per day.

Conversely, the Gaza government media office denied imposing any governmental taxes or fees on commercial trucks, accusing Israel of promoting these claims to justify continued restrictions and evade its obligations. They clarified that the 10,000 shekel amount was part of a voluntary community initiative to fund relief projects and aid vulnerable groups, and that cash transaction procedures were initiated by and agreed upon with the Chamber of Commerce to address a liquidity crisis, not a unilateral government decision.

The Israeli measures coincide with a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as the World Food Programme announced a reduction of its food and cash aid by about a third due to funding shortages, affecting nearly half a million Palestinians since October. The WFP reports that approximately 1.4 million Palestinians face severe food insecurity, with about 200,000 in emergency food conditions. The Gaza government media office warned that aid cuts threaten to deepen famine and urged Israel to open crossings and ensure unrestricted truck entry.