Image: Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images
Israel will partially reopen private trade in Gaza with the aim of reducing its dependence on humanitarian aid, the entity of the Ministry of Defense in charge of Civil Affairs of the Palestinians (COGAT) communicated.
The COGAT, the Israel military entity in charge of civil affairs in the occupied territories, reported on Tuesday (5.08.2025) that will authorize the local merchants of Gaza to introduce products into the strip in order to «increase the volume of aid» that the enclave receives, according to a statement.
«A small group of merchants obtained permission from the Defense Estate, under a particular criterion and through a rigorous security control,» said the COGAT, assigning the resolution to the Israel Security Cabinet, which covers members of the Government and other relevant entities for the administration of the offensive against Gaza.
According to the Haaretz newspaper, this is the first time that the Israel government authorizes Gaza merchants to enter with their products in Gaza since the Israel Army ended the fire on March last 18.
The COGAT said that with this action it seeks to reduce «the dependence on the collection of aid by the UN and the international entities», which it reproaches not to reach the Gazatí side of the border with Israel to collect and distribute the content of the trucks that transport to Gaza.
On the other hand, UN agencies and these entities denounce the dangers faced by their teams (crossing conflict areas) to collect them, in addition to the extensive waiting periods they face in these areas until they obtain permission from the Armed Forces so that their convoys move.
