developing· Security· Updated 17:02

Hamas Rejects Israeli Accusations, Criticizes UN Envoy Mladenov

Commercial goods have stopped entering Gaza for two days following a dispute over taxes. COGAT, the Israeli military body overseeing humanitarian affairs in Gaza, announced the suspension on Wednesday, stating that Palestinian merchants had canceled coordination for shipments due to taxation and threats by the terrorist organization Hamas. COGAT's deputy spokesperson, Lt. Daniel Kantorovich, stated that the suspension could be reversed if merchants wished.

3 newsrooms · 2 languages · since 03:15

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Hamas Rejects Israeli Accusations, Criticizes UN Envoy Mladenov — Illustration by baba

What happened

01Israel suspended commercial shipments into Gaza on Wednesday, citing a tax dispute and threats by Hamas against local merchants.
02Hamas and Palestinian importers denied the accusations, calling them baseless pretexts to justify the blockade.
03COGAT stated that Palestinian merchants chose to cancel shipping coordination but could reverse the decision.
04UNICEF warned that the halt jeopardizes fragile progress made in combating malnutrition among children in Gaza.
05Hamas criticized UN envoy Nikolai Mladenov, accusing him of bias for adopting Israel's narrative regarding the tax dispute.
06Humanitarian workers warned the suspension of commercial goods like fruit and winter clothing will exacerbate food insecurity as winter approaches.

Both Hamas and Palestinian importers have denied the allegations. Hamas called the claims baseless pretexts used to justify the blockade and evade ceasefire commitments, while Gaza's media office denied imposing taxes. Hamas also criticized UN Special Coordinator Nikolai Mladenov, accusing him of bias and adopting the Israeli narrative after he warned that supply disruptions would increase civilian hardship.

Humanitarian organizations, including UNICEF and the Norwegian Refugee Council, warned that the halt cuts off a vital source of food and winter supplies. UNICEF emphasized that fragile gains in reducing malnutrition are at risk, noting that one in three children under two in Gaza do not meet minimum dietary diversity standards as winter approaches.

Summarized by baba from the reports of 3 newsrooms. Updated 17:11

Latest report: Alarab. Read Alarab’s original