Gaza's economic mafia: Import monopoly threatens Israel's security

A system granting a monopoly on commercial imports to a select group of 13 individuals is operating in Gaza, according to an opinion piece.

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The issue is not the individuals themselves. The issue is the system that granted them this monopoly.

Since the war began, Israeli authorities have reportedly authorized only these individuals to import goods, bypassing hundreds of long-established Gaza merchants. While the specific names on the list have changed, the core principle of a limited import group has persisted. Merchants report that these authorized individuals act as intermediaries, charging commissions ranging from NIS 150,000 to NIS 400,000 per truck.

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Any merchant wishing to import goods is reportedly forced to go through one of these brokers.

These high commissions are passed on to Gaza's population, making essential items like food, medicine, and construction materials more expensive. This exacerbates the already severe humanitarian crisis. The system sidelines experienced Palestinian businesspeople, prioritizing privileged access over competence and competition. The author argues that such economic monopolies inevitably lead to black markets and corruption, especially during wartime.

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Every additional commission paid by merchants is ultimately passed on to Gaza’s civilians.

The article suggests this import system, which relies on exclusive permits rather than transparent regulations, generates significant profits for a few while contributing to favoritism and informal financial networks. This situation is described as a threat to Israel's security.

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Economic monopolies inevitably create black markets.