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Anger at Hamas Growing after Tax Increases in Gaza

(Al-Monitor) Rasha Abou Jalal - Last summer, Hamas, which controls Gaza, imposed a 10-shekel tax on some imported clothing items, including jeans and abayas for women. In February, clothing merchants across Gaza went on strike in protest. In March, Hamas increased the duties on fruits and vegetables coming from Israel by 120% to 230%. Merchants suspended imports in protest. In April, the Hamas government imposed a new tax of five shekels ($1.50) on every kilogram of Egyptian fish that arrives in Gaza and is then exported to the West Bank. A tax of three shekels ($0.90) was imposed on every kilogram of fish produced on local farms. On Feb. 2, the Hamas government imposed a 12.5% tax on imported cars. In July 2022, new taxes were imposed on 24 imported commodities such as mineral water, juices and biscuits. In May 2022, a 16% VAT was imposed on all products entering Gaza from the West Bank. Talal Okal, a political writer for the Palestinian al-Ayyam newspaper, asked: "Why are Gazans forced to pay higher taxes while their government does not meet their basic needs?" Residents are not seeing government services as a result of the taxes, he added.
2023-05-18 00:00:00
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