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Hamas Taxing Gaza Street Vendors to Fund "Forever War"
(Sunday Telegraph-UK) Henry Bodkin - In January, Hamas announced a tax on market traders as part of a wave of new levies and outright extortion by which the terror group is rapidly replenishing its coffers. Double taxes on imported goods, now flowing in under the ceasefire agreement, and a huge cut of the money-changing and tobacco trades, are just some of the measures reported by ordinary Gazans. Israeli intelligence officials believe Hamas has successfully preserved billions in cash in its tunnels, allowing it to continue paying thousands of fighters and rebuild its military infrastructure. One IDF officer said: "Hamas amassed these huge sums over the course of years in which it prepared for a rainy day, for prolonged years of siege, and that is one of the reasons that the Gaza public has not risen up against it." An Israeli official told the Telegraph, "As a result of their financial depth, Hamas is more than strong enough to stay on forever." 2/3 of the trucks allowed to enter Gaza are carrying private goods rather than aid deliveries. Hamas is now demanding upfront cash payments of 15-20% of the value of the contents; they then tax the sale of goods individually in the markets, which can be as high as 30%.