Israel Charges 12 Over Smuggling Goods Into Gaza – AFP
Israeli prosecutors on Wednesday filed charges against 12 individuals, including military reservists, for allegedly smuggling prohibited goods into Gaza, in what authorities described as a “serious case of organised and sophisticated” operations.
The alleged offences include “assisting the enemy in wartime,” fraud, bribery, and other economic crimes. The suspects are accused of smuggling items such as cigarettes, iPhones, batteries, communication cables, and car parts into the war-affected Palestinian territory.
Israel strictly controls the entry of goods and people into Gaza, where humanitarian conditions remain dire despite a ceasefire with Hamas that took effect on October 10.
The Justice Ministry said the smuggling operation, which began in the summer of 2025 during active hostilities, involved multiple individuals and one company, and was carried out for profit. Authorities warned that the activity “directly contributed to strengthening terrorist organisations” in Gaza, notably Hamas.
A joint statement from Israel Police and the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency confirmed the arrests of both Israeli citizens and Gaza residents. Reports indicated that the brother of Shin Bet chief David Zini, Bezalel Zini, may also be indicted for allegedly smuggling cigarettes.
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