The ruling Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza is threatening to sue Israel for damage to merchandise held up at Israeli ports. The damage, says Hamas, is estimated to be in the millions of shekels.
The threat came following an Israeli gesture to improve the quality of life in Gaza through approval of deliveries of containers of clothing and shoes. The items, according to Hamas officials, arrived damaged and worn after having been held at the port in Ashdod for an extended period.
According to the website Port-to-Port, a member of the Hamas parliament estimated the overall damage to be approximately NIS 100 million ($27 million). He said those whose goods were destroyed can seek recourse in Israel's court system by suing for compensation as well as punitive damages over the excessive waiting time at the port.
The Hamas member added that approximately 1,000 containers have been held up at the port since the Gaza crossings were sealed off, preventing the transfer of the goods into the region.
Earlier in the week, Hamas reported the IDF approved the transfer of containers carrying aluminum, which until now had been banned due to fears the material would be used to produce more weapons to be fired at Israeli civilians.