Israel to partially reauthorise private sector trade with Gaza
Israel will partially reopen private sector trade with Gaza to reduce its reliance on humanitarian aid, COGAT, a ministry of Defence body responsible for the civil administration of the Palestinian territory, has announced.
“A mechanism has been approved to gradually and in a controlled manner resume the entry of goods via the private sector into Gaza,” a COGAT statement said. “The aim is to increase the volume of aid entering the Gaza Strip, while reducing dependence on aid collection by the UN and international organisations.”
To implement the mechanism, the security system has approved “a limited number of local traders, subject to several criteria and rigorous security checks”.
Approved goods include basic foodstuffs, baby food, fruit and vegetables and hygiene items. All goods will be subject to checks by the ministry of Defence’s Land Crossings Authority before entering the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli army, “through COGAT and in cooperation with the security services, will continue to implement mechanisms to control and monitor the entry of aid into the Gaza Strip, while taking all possible measures to prevent the involvement of the Hamas terrorist organisation in the aid delivery and distribution processes”, Tuesday’s statement said.
Humanitarian blockade
Since the start of the war, Israel has besieged more than 2 million Palestinians in a 365km2 territory. At the end of May, it lifted the total humanitarian blockade it had imposed in March but only allows very limited quantities to enter, which the UN considers insufficient.
The Palestinian territory, which is totally dependent on humanitarian aid, is now threatened with “widespread famine”, according to the UN. Belgium has been carrying out airdrops of aid in recent days.
Palestinians gather at an aid distribution centre near the Zikim border crossing in Gaza to access limited food, 4 August 2025 © PHOTO OMAR ASHTAWY / APA IMAGES VIA ZUMA PRESS WIRE
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