Senior Israeli security official accused of smuggling goods into Gaza

A senior Israeli Shin Bet official has been accused of participating in a scheme to smuggle goods into the Gaza Strip in exchange for a large financial reward.

According to Ynet, he could have received around $1.1 million. The indictment has been filed, but its full text has not yet been published. Shin Bet declined to comment on the situation.

Three weeks ago, the Israeli prosecution submitted charges to the Be’er Sheva District Court in a case involving organised smuggling into the enclave during a period of active hostilities.

According to the indictments, 15 defendants—including civilians and reserve soldiers—participated in smuggling prohibited goods from Israel into Gaza in exchange for millions of shekels in profit.

Investigators allege that the defendants knew the goods—primarily tobacco and cigarettes—could reach Hamas and help fund its activities. As a result, they are charged with “assisting the enemy during wartime.”

In addition to the Shin Bet official, charges were filed against the brother of the agency’s head, Betzalel Zini, David Zini, and two other senior officials. Investigators claim they organised multiple instances of illegal cigarette imports and shared the profits. Charges include assisting the enemy, crimes related to financing terrorism, fraud, and bribery.

By Vugar Khalilov