Hamas hikes taxes on imports, including from West Bank
Hamas has imposed new customs duties on goods entering the Gaza Strip but some believe the taxes go too far, especially when they are imposed on items coming from the West Bank.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — A recently imposed customs duty has caught some Palestinians off guard as they travel from the West Bank to the Gaza Strip via the Erez border crossing.
The Customs and Excise Directorate of the Ministry of Finance in the Gaza Strip recently placed a sign at the northern Gaza Strip crossing declaring that duties will be imposed on all purchases citizens bring in. The duties went into effect Jan. 20.
The Erez crossing, which is under Israeli supervision, is the only land crossing for people to move between Gaza and the West Bank. Palestinians in the Gaza Strip usually visit the West Bank either for medical treatment or to see their relatives.
Fatima al-Serhi of Gaza City told Al-Monitor she was surprised upon her return Jan. 22 to Gaza through the Erez crossing when customs officers on the Palestinian side, which is run by Hamas, asked her to pay duties on a few items she had in her hand bag. She had bought the items in the West Bank.
