Israel halts all commercial goods into Gaza as UN warns malnutrition gains are now fragile

No commercial goods have entered Gaza for two days, cutting off fruit, meat and winter clothing from a population already at crisis food levels. Israel's COGAT military body claims Palestinian merchants suspended deliveries over Hamas taxation and threats, but Gaza truckers and Palestinian importers flatly deny this, blaming Israel directly. The Norwegian Refugee Council warned that aid alone cannot meet Gaza's needs and that markets must function alongside humanitarian supplies.

Famine was declared in Gaza in August 2025; the UN says even small disruptions could rapidly reverse the modest gains made since then.

COGAT says it will reverse the suspension at the merchants' request — but Palestinians say Israel, not merchants, made the call.

With winter approaching, the halt cuts off not just food but shelter supplies including clothing that families are relying on.