Israel Matzav

Too good to check: Hamas in panic over Gaza blockade being lifted

If we'd known this would work out so well, maybe we would have lifted the 'blockade' sooner. It seems that not everyone in Hamastan is thrilled about Israel having lifted its 'blockade' of the Gaza Strip. In fact, the Hamas rulers themselves may want the 'blockade' back.

According to the Gaza-based Al Ayyam newspaper, clothing retailers are claiming that rather than a lack, there is now an overabundance of selections in their market.

The problem is that since Hamas has not paid salaries, there are few customers available to buy the goods.

Soft drink manufacturers and those in the furniture industry are also complaining, as they don't want to compete with the lower prices of Israeli goods.

Both have called on the de facto Hamas government to prevent the entry of Israeli products, citing their ability to meet the needs of the local market themselves and fears they may have to close their factories if they cannot meet the competition.

Due to the goods that continue to be “imported” through the Gaza smuggler tunnels, as well as those that enter the region by truck, there is now a surplus of products in the small market.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri claimed the agreement is “part of the plot by Israelis, Arabs and Europeans to restore the rule of the [Fatah-led] Palestinian Authority in Gaza.”

We can't do anything right for these people, can we? Heh.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 7:02 PM