Israel halts commercial goods from entering Gaza; Hamas denies tax claims

Israeli authorities say no commercial goods have entered the Gaza Strip for two days after COGAT announced a halt on Wednesday, citing a tax dispute between local merchants and Hamas. COGAT accused Hamas of imposing a 10,000-shekel ($3,220) fee per truck and requiring 30 percent of sales to be paid in cash. Gaza’s government media office denounced the claims on Thursday as disinformation, saying the payment was voluntary and went to an aid fund, while cash was encouraged because of a severe shortage but was not mandatory. The suspension threatens a crucial source of food and goods for Gaza’s 2.1 million residents as famine fears persist.