IDF thwarts attempt to smuggle tobacco disguised as food aid into Gaza
Hundreds of kilos of tobacco hidden in canned food were seized at the Kerem Shalom crossing, prompting COGAT to suspend the company’s authorization to deliver aid to Gaza.
The Israeli army has foiled an attempt to smuggle hundreds of kilos of tobacco disguised as canned food into the Gaza Strip, the army confirmed on Monday.
Images of tobacco seized by the IDF and smuggled into Gaza, February 16, 2026. (IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
The tobacco was hidden in dozens of cans labeled as containing grape leaves, which the smugglers attempted to transfer through the Kerem Shalom border post.
All contents of the truck were seized and transferred for further processing by customs and other authorities.
In response to the incident, the new Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Chief Maj.-Gen. Yoram Halevi ordered the immediate suspension of the company’s permit to deliver aid to the Gaza Strip until further notice, the Israeli military confirmed.
Halevi’s decision was made in light of “the seriousness of the matter and in order to preserve the integrity of the aid entry mechanism, while preventing its exploitation for prohibited purposes,” the military said.
Brother of Shin Bet chief indicted for aiding wartime Hamas in Gaza smuggling case
Bezalel Zini, the brother of Shin Bet (Israeli Security Agency) David Zini, was indicted Feb. 5 along with two other men in a sweeping wartime security case in which prosecutors allege that a network of Israeli reservists and civilians smuggled banned goods — mainly cigarettes and tobacco — into the Gaza Strip during Israel’s war with Hamas.
According to an indictment filed with the Beersheba District Court, Zini was accused of aiding the enemy in wartime, prohibiting real estate transactions for terrorist purposes under the anti-terrorism law, aggravated fraud and accepting bribes while a public official.
Prosecutors say the operation generated millions of shekels in revenue and materially benefited Hamas by strengthening its economic control inside the enclave.
