Gazans reluctant to import from Egypt despite Hamas’ encouragement

Although Hamas reduced fees imposed on goods entering the Gaza Strip, it seems local traders are hesitant to import from Egypt, which imposes high fees on traded products.
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A member of Palestinian security forces loyal to Hamas reads a Quran as he keeps guard outside the gate of the Rafah border crossing with Egypt, in the southern Gaza Strip, Feb. 5, 2016. - REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa
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Rasha Abou Jalal
@rashaaboujalal1
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GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — As Hamas seeks to bolster trade between the Gaza Strip and Egypt through the Rafah border crossing to improve returns for its treasury, Gazan traders seem reluctant to import Egyptian merchandise.

Hamas’ treasury has been weighed down by an ongoing economic crisis since 2015, in part due to Egypt’s destruction of underground tunnels between Gaza and Sinai that began in 2013.

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