Israel resumes coordination for commercial trucks into Gaza
Israel announced that coordination with private traders bringing commercial goods into Gaza would resume gradually after a pause lasting several days. Winter supplies and essential goods receive priority. The Israeli military also warned that traders accused of transferring money to Hamas could lose their permits. The announcement concerns the commercial entry mechanism, following the preceding week’s halt in shipments including food.
Geopolitics··Morning
Commercial coordination restarts gradually
Israel announced on 19 October that it would gradually resume coordination with private traders bringing commercial goods into Gaza. The Israeli military’s announcement followed a halt lasting several days that had affected shipments including food. Winter supplies and essential items are to receive priority as coordination resumes. The change concerns the arrangements for commercial entry into the Palestinian territory.[1], [2]
Yoram Halevi, the Israeli official coordinating government activities in the Palestinian territories, described the restart in a statement directed at Gaza’s residents. He alleged that traders had suspended activity after Hamas threatened them and demanded payments for trucks. Hamas is the Palestinian movement accused by the Israeli official of seeking money from merchants. Those allegations accompany the announcement of renewed coordination.[2]
Bank transfers and permit conditions apply to traders
Halevi said traders would be required to make and receive payments through bank transfers only. He threatened to revoke permission to participate in the goods-entry mechanism from any trader whom Israeli authorities determined had transferred money to Hamas. The Israeli military likewise warned that it would revoke licences following further reports of merchants paying taxes to Hamas.[1], [2]
The Israeli official alleged that Hamas had withdrawn a demand for about 10,000 shekels per truck and a requirement that goods be sold for cash. He also alleged that the movement sought to use the aid-entry mechanism to strengthen its economic and military capabilities. He said coordination with the UN and international organisations over goods and aid entry would continue.[2]
Gaza media office denies imposing truck taxes
Gaza’s government media office denied imposing taxes or government fees on commercial trucks. It described the 10,000-shekel amount as a voluntary community initiative to finance relief projects and help people in need. The office said cash-payment arrangements originated with the chamber of commerce and were agreed with it to address a liquidity shortage, rather than being imposed unilaterally by the government.[2]
The restart followed Halevi’s warning on Sunday that Israel would not guarantee the truck numbers specified in the ceasefire agreement. He claimed 250 trucks a day would meet humanitarian needs, while the agreement specifies 600 daily. The Gaza office accused Israel of using the payment allegations to justify restrictions and evade its obligations. The opposing accounts leave the payment dispute unresolved.[2]
