Israel Suspends Commercial Coordination for Gaza Goods
COGAT halted private-sector goods entry after reports of Hamas imposing fees and cash demands on local merchants.
Updated on Oct. 16, 2026 in Economic Indicators
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The Israeli agency COGAT suspended coordination for private-sector goods entering the Gaza Strip on Wednesday. The move follows reports that Hamas demanded a 10,000 shekel fee per truck and a 30% cash portion of all merchant sales.
Why it matters
The suspension aims to address reported Hamas coercion and threats against merchants involved in the supply chain. This disruption directly impacts the flow of essential goods into the region as merchants stop coordinating with Israeli authorities.
Hamas allegedly imposed a 10,000 shekel ($3,220) fee per truck and required 30% of sales to be settled in cash. Daily truck entries are now projected to drop to 300, falling short of the 600 required humanitarian aid vehicles.
The players
COGAT
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories is an Israeli military unit that engages, coordinates, and liaises with international organizations and the Palestinian Authority.
Hamas
Hamas is a Palestinian militant group that has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007 and is designated as a terrorist organization by multiple countries.
The details
Gazan merchants halted coordination with COGAT due to these financial demands, leading to no commercial trucks from Israel entering Gaza on Thursday. While commercial goods from Egypt continued through an Israeli-controlled crossing, the suspension specifically blocks private-sector imports from Israel.
Timeline
Wednesday: COGAT announced the suspension of commercial goods coordination.
Thursday: No commercial trucks from Israel entered Gaza.
Macro View
The current suspension of commercial traffic marks a departure from the operational targets established by the US-mediated agreement for humanitarian aid entry. This development highlights the fragility of regional supply lines under ongoing political and military pressure.
The suspension of commercial goods is expected to significantly reduce the daily volume of supplies entering Gaza to roughly 300 trucks. This shift likely impacts the availability and cost of goods for residents who rely on private-sector imports for essential items.
The takeaway
The halt in coordination highlights how localized extortion demands can disrupt critical supply chains during humanitarian crises. Merchants and aid organizations continue to navigate these significant logistical and financial hurdles to maintain regional access to goods.
Further reading
For broader trends on international trade metrics, visit the Economic Indicators section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Jerusalem Post.
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