Current Wars in the World See Gaza Aid Resume After Hamas Tax Threat
Aid shipments to Gaza have resumed after private merchants backed down from Hamas extortion threats demanding approximately NIS 10,000 per truck, while multiple conflicts continue globally including fighting in Sudan, tensions in the West Bank, and Houthi attacks affecting Saudi Arabia as part of the current wars in the world. Private merchants in Gaza suspended truck coordination in protest of Hamas's threatened tax of about NIS 10,000 per truck and cash-only sales requirement before agreeing to resume activities. [1]
Gaza Aid Shipments Resume After Hamas Tax Dispute
Private merchants in Gaza have agreed to resume bringing aid and commercial goods into the Gaza Strip after several days of suspended activity, the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) announced. [1] Merchants previously suspended truck coordination activities in protest of a tax threatened by Hamas, wherein the terror organization demanded payments of approximately NIS 10,000 per truck. [1] Hamas's extortionist demands also included a provision that goods must be sold in cash. [1] COGAT stated that coordination will resume gradually with emphasis on essential supplies ahead of winter, strengthened oversight requiring bank transfers only, and revocation of authorization for any merchant paying Hamas. [1] The statement continues that these measures are intended to ensure that Hamas does not exploit the mechanism for its economic and military buildup. [1] Any merchant found to have made payments to Hamas will have their authorization to operate under the mechanism for bringing goods into the Gaza Strip revoked. [1] The resumption of coordination is being carried out in accordance with Israel's commitment to the humanitarian provisions of the ceasefire agreement. [1] COGAT explained that coordination is expected to resume gradually with an emphasis on the entry of essential supplies ahead of the winter season while strengthening oversight of merchants' compliance with their obligation to make and receive payments exclusively through bank transfers including the documentation of transactions. [1]
International Condemnation of Hamas Interference
Following the suspension of coordination for private-sector goods entering Gaza following reports of threats and coercion by Hamas, Board of Peace Director-General Nickolay Mladenov condemned Hamas for interfering with supply chains. [1] “As I have warned repeatedly, such practices are unacceptable and must end immediately. The intimidation of merchants and interference in the supply chain only deepen the suffering of Gaza's civilians,” Mladenov posted. [1] He stressed the urgent need to establish new governance and security arrangements in the Gaza Strip. [1] “These developments demonstrate why the rapid deployment of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza (NCAG), supported by the International Stabilization Force (ISF), is urgently needed,” he wrote. [1] Board of Peace Director-General Nickolay Mladenov condemned Hamas for intimidation and interference in the supply chain, calling for rapid deployment of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza supported by the International Stabilization Force. [1]
UNRWA Warns of Approaching Winter Crisis in Gaza
The UN agency for Palestinian refugees warned of an alarming humanitarian situation in Gaza ahead of winter, saying the vast majority of people remain in damaged shelters and face the threat of sleeping in floodwater. [4] “The situation is very serious,” UNRWA’s acting chief, Christian Saunders, said in an interview, stressing that recovery and reconstruction efforts must accelerate before winter sets in. [4] “We have the winter approaching. There will be a lot of rain as there is every year,” Saunders said. [4] “Because the infrastructure has been destroyed, that water will accumulate around where people are living and people will be sleeping in water and it gets cold. We cannot allow these conditions to remain.” [4] Saunders pointed out that nearly the entire population of Gaza has been affected by destruction and displacement since the start of the war in October 2023. [4] “We still have more than 90% of people living in tents or under plastic tarpaulins or in half-destroyed houses,” he said, adding that shelter worries are compounded by serious problems with food supplies. [4] Palestinians face widespread malnutrition because fresh fruit and vegetables remain largely unavailable, and where present, prices are out of reach for the vast majority of the population. [4] Only 3% of the land can be cultivated, Saunders noted. [4] While more food is entering Gaza than before the ceasefire, delays, limited crossings and remaining restrictions continue to curtail supply volumes. [4] He also criticized persistent limits on medicines and medical equipment. [4] UNRWA is currently struggling to assist more than 1.7 million Palestinians in Gaza, providing health services at 11 centers, schooling for 300,000 children mostly in tents, and drinking water for roughly 820,000 people. [4] The deficit at the moment is about $70 million, Saunders said. [4] If we don’t receive money in the very near future, I will have to take some regrettable actions in order to ensure that we’re able to finish the year and to pay our staff salaries. [4]
Sudanese Army Repels RSF Attack in Blue Nile
The Sudanese army thwarted an RSF attack in Blue Nile state's Sali area, seizing 15 combat vehicles and destroying five others. [2] Sudanese army says it thwarted RSF attack in Blue Nile state. [2] Army says 15 combat vehicles seized, 5 others destroyed during fighting in Sali area. [2]
West Bank Displacement and Intimidation Reported
In the southern West Bank, Israeli occupiers displaced 20 Palestinian families and subjected them to indiscriminate intimidation, including the brutal assault of a Doctors Without Borders staff member. [3] Palestinians face ‘indiscriminate intimidation’ by Israeli occupiers as 20 families displaced. [3] Medical charity says staff member brutally assaulted by occupiers in southern West Bank. [3]
Saudi Investment Forum Postponed Amid Houthi Attacks
Saudi Arabia postponed its Future Investment Initiative 'Davos in the Desert' conference until next year due to recent deadly Houthi attacks that have widened the Middle East conflict. [5] Saudi Arabia has postponed its flagship investment conference until next year following deadly attacks that have shaken the kingdom in recent weeks as the conflict in the Middle East has widened, organisers of the Future Investment Initiative said. [5] This year’s forum was due to take place in Riyadh from 26 to 29 October. [5] A source familiar with the matter told AFP that the event “will not take place as scheduled”, adding that organisers would not announce a new date in the near future. [5] A second source confirmed the postponement, asking: “Who would want to risk travelling by air to Riyadh at this time?” [5]
What to watch next: COGAT measures to strengthen oversight of bank transfers for merchants bringing goods into Gaza, the urgent need cited for rapid deployment of the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza supported by the International Stabilization Force, and UNRWA’s call for increased pressure on restrictions ahead of winter conditions.
