GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Hamas’ Ministry of National Economy in Gaza decided Dec. 17 to prevent Gaza traders from importing any goods without its prior consent, a measure it took without any coordination with the Palestinian national consensus government.
This comes at a time when Hamas is reeling under the brunt of a severe financial crisis that hit it in 2014 as a result of the Egyptian army's campaign that started Oct. 26, 2014, and that led to the establishment of a border buffer zone with the Gaza Strip to destroy border tunnels. These tunnels served as Hamas' main funds and weapon supply routes.