Commercial goods are no longer entering Gaza, raising fears of worsening shortages in the territory
Commercial goods have stopped entering the Gaza Strip for two days, with Israeli authorities citing merchant protests against Hamas-imposed taxes while Palestinian importers deny the claim. This suspension threatens to exacerbate food and supply shortages in the territory, which remains heavily dependent on commercial imports to supplement humanitarian aid.
Why it matters
The halt in commercial activity risks reversing fragile improvements in food security, potentially pushing the population back toward crisis levels as winter approaches.
Commercial goods are no longer entering Gaza, raising fears of worsening shortages in the territory left A Palestinian child receives donated food at a tent camp in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip. File AP AP https://th-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/5n5wre/article71589786.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/Israel_Palestinians_Gaza_5_88_.jpg Abdel Kareem Hana A Palestinian child receives donated food at a tent camp in Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana) Merchants in Gaza coordinate directly with vendors outside the territory, whose shipments are examined by Israel's military before entering Gaza; the Ministry had been asking merchants to pay 10,000 shekels (about $3,226) per truck entering Gaza, the head of private truckers union said Jerusalem No commercial goods have entered the Gaza Strip for two days, Israeli authorities said on Thursday (October 15, 2026), blaming the suspension on merchants angered by taxes imposed by Hamas — a claim that Palestinian importers deny.
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