Israeli prosecutors have filed indictments against 12 suspects, including military reservists, over an alleged large-scale smuggling operation that funnelled prohibited goods into the Gaza Strip during the ongoing conflict.

According to Israel’s Justice Ministry, the defendants are accused of “assisting the enemy in wartime” and other serious offenses tied to the illegal transfer of goods worth millions of shekels. Authorities said the operation involved organised and systematic smuggling into Gaza for financial gain, beginning in the summer of 2025 while active fighting was still underway.

Israel tightly controls the movement of people and goods into Gaza, where humanitarian conditions remain severe despite a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that took effect in October. Prosecutors said the smuggled items included cartons of cigarettes, iPhones, batteries, communication cables, vehicle parts and other equipment.

A joint investigation by Israeli police and the Shin Bet domestic intelligence agency led to multiple arrests. Officials said several of the suspects were Israeli military reservists who allegedly exploited their access and positions to bypass restrictions and facilitate the smuggling network.

Authorities also alleged that the suspects ignored the risk that their actions would strengthen terrorist organisations in Gaza, particularly Hamas. In addition to aiding the enemy, charges include fraud, bribery, economic crimes and the use of property for terrorist purposes.

Israeli media have reported that the brother of Shin Bet chief David Zini is linked to the case and is suspected of involvement in cigarette smuggling into Gaza. He is expected to face indictment separately.

The case highlights Israel’s concerns that illegal trade routes into Gaza can provide financial and logistical support to militant groups, undermining security efforts during and after active military operations.

As investigations continue, officials said further indictments could follow, reflecting what authorities describe as one of the most serious internal smuggling cases uncovered during the Gaza war.

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Key Takeaways

• Israeli prosecutors charged 12 suspects over large-scale smuggling into Gaza.

• Several accused are military reservists, facing wartime-related offenses.

• Authorities say the operation may have financially benefited Hamas.

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Original source:
France 24 with AFP – Israel indicts 12 suspects, including IDF soldiers, for smuggling goods into Gaza
https://www.france24.com/

2 minutes ago, bannork said:

smuggling operation that funnelled prohibited goods into the Gaza Strip

Food for starving women and children?

16 minutes ago, Packer said:

Food for starving women and children?

Yeh, like children eat cigarettes, iPhones, batteries, communication cables, vehicle parts and other equipment.🤔

But "women and children " is the standard reply to most threads about Israel , along with "genocide" and "War crimes" and the obligatory Nazi reference

Off topic post removed. @JimCM if you want to discuss a different topic, then open a new thread.

Israeli prosecutors have charged the brother of the head of the country's intelligence agency, Shin Bet, with "aiding the enemy in wartime" by allegedly smuggling cigarettes into Gaza.

An indictment against Bezalel Zini published on Thursday argues he was aware that Hamas might profit from the resale of cigarettes and tobacco at inflated prices.

Zini, 50, a reservist on active duty in the Israeli military, is said to have smuggled 14 cartons of cigarettes - 7,000 individual packets - in exchange for a total of 365,000 shekels ($117,000; £86,000).

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c86v8y4ppd9o

"The brother of Shin Bet"...kill 'em with guns or kill 'em with cigarettes!