Israel halts commercial goods into Gaza; Hamas denies tax dispute claims

What happened

Al Jazeera Gaza reports that Israeli authorities, through the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), have halted the entry of commercial goods into Gaza for two consecutive days. COGAT attributes the suspension to a dispute involving fees imposed by Hamas on merchants, including a 10,000 shekel ($3,220) charge per truck and demands for 30 percent of sales to be paid in cash.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. Gaza’s government media office strongly denies these claims, calling them a "blatant disinformation campaign" aimed at blaming Gaza’s authorities for the disruption. They state the fees referenced by Israel are voluntary contributions to aid funds supporting vulnerable groups such as widows and orphans. They also clarify that cash payments, while encouraged due to cash shortages, have never been mandatory.

This halt includes shipments of fruit and winter clothing, crucial supplies that complement humanitarian aid. Aid groups typically provide staple foods like flour, while private merchants supply perishable items. Humanitarian workers warn that a functioning commercial market is essential alongside aid to prevent price surges and food insecurity.

Known from the source

• COGAT announced a halt to commercial goods entering Gaza citing fee disputes imposed by Hamas on merchants.
• COGAT claims merchants were charged a 10,000 shekel fee per truck and required to pay 30% of sales in cash.
• Gaza’s government media office denies these claims, calling them disinformation and characterizing fees as voluntary aid contributions.
• The halt affects commercial shipments including fruit and winter clothing.
• Gaza’s population is heavily reliant on goods through Israeli border crossings and is facing a severe humanitarian crisis.

What remains unclear

Nahed Sheheiber, head of Gaza's private truckers union, contradicts the Israeli narrative, asserting that Israel itself imposed restrictions. Sheheiber’s union has engaged with Gaza’s Ministry of Economy to express concern that Israel may be using the alleged fees as a pretext to cut off goods. Current flows reportedly fall far short of Israel’s commitment to allowing 600 humanitarian trucks daily, with estimates closer to 300 trucks entering, two-thirds carrying commercial goods.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Whether the commercial goods halt is ongoing beyond the two days reported. Verification of the existence and enforcement of the 10,000 shekel fee and 30% cash sales demand by Hamas. Independent confirmation of truck crossing volume and composition (humanitarian vs commercial).

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: Al Jazeera Gaza. Open the source.