Israel announced on Wednesday the suspension of commercial goods, including essential items like fruits and winter clothing, from entering Gaza, citing a tax dispute between local merchants and Hamas, Al Jazeera reported. COGAT, the Israeli military body responsible for humanitarian affairs in Gaza, claimed the decision was made because Hamas was imposing a 10,000 shekel (approximately $3,220) fee on every truck entering Gaza and demanding 30% of sales in cash from local merchants. The Gaza government media office on Thursday refuted these claims as "blatant disinformation propaganda," stating that the fees were voluntary donations to aid those in need, such as widows and orphans. This move is expected to impact the supply of critical goods for the 2.1 million residents of the Gaza Strip, a region still facing famine.