Solar panels and cellphones among smuggled goods seized from Gaza aid trucks
According to the Army Radio, preventing smuggling through humanitarian aid deliveries falls to multiple agencies, which include the IDF, COGAT, the Shin Bet, and border customs.
Several attempts to smuggle solar panels, electric cables, and cell phones into Gaza inside humanitarian aid trucks have been thwarted over the past few days, Army Radio reported on Thursday morning.
The smuggled goods, which were stopped at the border near Kissufim, were discovered inside four different humanitarian aid trucks.
The report stated that as aid increases into Gaza, it becomes more difficult to carry out thorough inspections, as up to 300-400 trucks enter Gaza in a single day.
COGAT says it is improving inspection process
COGAT (Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories) responded to the claims, noting that “processes were carried out to improve inspection, escort forces were assigned to aid truck convoys, and active operations were also carried out to thwart smuggling attempts.”
Israel’s Tax Authority told Army Radio that it had identified an increased number of smuggling attempts into the Gaza Strip.
Lorries with aid loads for delivery into Gaza arrive at Larnaca Port, Cyprus, June 26, 2024. (credit: Marinos Meletiou/Reuters)
According to the Army Radio, preventing smuggling through humanitarian aid deliveries falls to multiple agencies, which include the IDF, COGAT, the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency), and border customs.
The IDF, Israel’s Defense Ministry, and Shin Bet refrained from commenting on the matter, Army Radio added.
A source told Army Radio that “Each one shifts responsibility to the other, and in practice, Hamas benefits from an aid delivery mechanism that is not airtight, with insufficient and flawed security screening.”
