Khaberni - Sources revealed on Thursday evening that the Palestinian Public Prosecution issued an arrest warrant against businessman Tareq Natshe, owner of "Al-Huda Group for Fuels", and one of the prominent investors in the fuel import and distribution sector in the West Bank, coinciding with a fuel crisis affecting the cities of the West Bank for about three weeks.
According to sources, the arrest warrant followed raids carried out by security forces and customs officers during the previous month of July, targeting several fuel stations belonging to the group in Ramallah, Bethlehem, and other cities in the West Bank.
Local reports at the time indicated the seizure of files, surveillance cameras, and quantities of fuels, in addition to the detention of several company employees in relation to ongoing investigations.
Sources indicated that the Public Prosecution is investigating four employees at "Al-Huda Fuels" stations on suspicions related to commodity manipulation and tax evasion, while circulated documents suggested a decision to lift bank secrecy on accounts belonging to the group.
As of the preparation of this material, the Palestinian Public Prosecution has not issued an official statement clarifying the nature of the charges or the legal basis for the actions taken, nor has there been any comment from Natshe or his legal representatives regarding the case.
According to widespread information, Natshe owns about 28 fuel stations distributed across several cities in the West Bank, in addition to his involvement in facilities dedicated to fuel storage. "Al-Huda Group for Fuels" was established in 1998 and has previously secured contracts to supply fuel to government and security vehicles and institutions.
The actions against the group coincide with a severe fuel shortage crisis in the West Bank, where fuel stations have experienced long lines and are running out of gasoline and diesel in several areas.
The narratives vary regarding the connection of the case to the fuel crisis; economic sources report that the crisis is due to multiple factors, including accumulated debts, the Palestinian Authority's failure to transfer full fuel payments to Israeli supplying companies, and a portion of the market relying on informal fuel.
