IDF thwarts attempt to smuggle tobacco disguised as food aid into Gaza
Hundreds of kilograms of tobacco hidden in canned food products were seized at the Kerem Shalom crossing, prompting COGAT to suspend the company’s permit to bring aid into Gaza.
The IDF thwarted an attempt to smuggle hundreds of kilograms of tobacco disguised as canned food products into the Gaza Strip, the military confirmed on Monday.
Footage of tobacco seized by the IDF that was being smuggled into Gaza, February 16, 2026. (Credit: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit)
The tobacco was concealed inside dozens of cans labelled as containing grape leaves, which smugglers attempted to transfer via the Kerem Shalom Border Crossing.
All of the truck’s contents were seized and transferred for further handling by customs and other authorities.
In response to the incident, the newly promoted Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT), Chief Maj.-Gen. Yoram Halevi ordered the immediate suspension of the company’s permit to bring aid into the Gaza Strip until further notice, the IDF confirmed.
Halevi’s decision was made in light of “the severity of the case and in order to preserve the integrity of the aid entry mechanism, while preventing its exploitation for prohibited purposes,” the military stated.
Shin Bet chief’s brother indicted for aiding Hamas during wartime in Gaza smuggling case
Bezalel Zini, the brother of Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) David Zini, was indicted on February 5 along with two other men in a wide-ranging wartime security case in which prosecutors allege that a network of Israeli reservists and civilians smuggled prohibited goods – primarily cigarettes and tobacco – into the Gaza Strip during Israel’s war with Hamas.
According to an indictment filed at the Beersheba District Court, Zini was charged with aiding the enemy during wartime, prohibited dealings in property for terror purposes under the Counter-Terrorism Law, aggravated fraud, and accepting bribes while serving as a public official.
Prosecutors allege that the operation generated millions of shekels in revenue and materially benefited Hamas by strengthening its economic control inside the enclave.
