Israel Charges 12 Suspects, Including Reservists, Over Large-Scale Gaza Smuggling Operation
JERUSALEM — Israeli prosecutors have indicted 12 suspects, including military reservists, in what authorities described as a major and highly organized smuggling operation involving prohibited goods entering the Gaza Strip during wartime.
According to a statement issued Wednesday by Israel’s Justice Ministry, the suspects face a range of serious charges, including “assisting the enemy in wartime,” following an investigation into the alleged smuggling of goods worth millions of Israeli shekels into Gaza.
Israel tightly controls the movement of people and goods into the besieged Palestinian territory, where humanitarian conditions remain severe despite a ceasefire with Hamas that took effect on October 10. Prosecutors said the alleged smuggling operation began in the summer of 2025, while active hostilities were still underway.
The Justice Ministry said the smuggled items included cartons of cigarettes, smartphones, batteries, communication cables, car parts, and other restricted materials. Authorities described the scheme as a “serious case of organized, systematic, and sophisticated smuggling” carried out for financial gain.
The statement said some of those detained were Israeli military reservists, adding that the suspects “willfully ignored the direct contribution of this activity to the strengthening of terrorist organizations in the Strip,” specifically referencing Hamas.
Prosecutors said the indictments include charges such as assisting the enemy in wartime, performing actions involving property for terrorist purposes, fraud under aggravated circumstances, bribery, and various economic offenses.
Israeli media reports have also linked the case to Bezalel Zini, the brother of Shin Bet chief David Zini, alleging involvement in cigarette smuggling into Gaza. Reports said Bezalel Zini is expected to be indicted separately on Thursday.
The case has drawn significant attention in Israel due to the gravity of the charges and the alleged involvement of security personnel, highlighting concerns over internal breaches amid ongoing regional conflict.
