By Pesach Benson • April 30, 2026
Jerusalem, 30 April, 2026 (TPS-IL) — An Israel Defense Forces officer with the rank of major was indicted for allegedly smuggling millions of shekels worth of contraband into Gaza and bringing an Israeli civilian into the Hamas-run territory, the military announced Thursday.
Military prosecutors charged the officer with aiding the enemy, taking bribes, smuggling goods under aggravated circumstances and other offenses following a joint investigation by the Shin Bet, Israel Police, Military Police and the Israel Tax Authority.
According to the indictment filed in the Haifa Magistrate’s Court, the officer coordinated with several Israeli civilians to transport banned goods into Gaza on January 10. Prosecutors allege the truck carried 600 cellphones, 125,000 cigarettes, two tons of tobacco, 100 car batteries, 10 electric bicycles, 10 laptop computers and network routers with a combined value exceeding seven million shekels ($2.3 million).
The civilians allegedly involved in the operation were also indicted in civilian court.
At the time of the incident, the officer served as deputy commander of a unit responsible for the Kerem Shalom area near the Gaza border. Prosecutors said he was effectively commanding the sector because the unit commander had been wounded during fighting in Gaza.
According to the indictment, the truck was driven by an Israeli civilian while the officer traveled ahead in a military vehicle, using his position to bypass security procedures at the crossing into Gaza.
“The officer bypassed inspection and supervision mechanisms, and exploited his authority and military position, while presenting a false representation to soldiers and officers that this was a legitimate operational activity,” the indictment stated.
After entering Gaza, the civilian allegedly parked the truck in a lot near the border and returned to Israel with the officer. Soldiers monitoring the area later became suspicious of the unattended vehicle and dispatched troops to inspect it.
Prosecutors said the officer, who was responsible for the sector, instructed the soldiers to leave the truck alone and allow him to handle the matter.
The indictment alleges that a Gazan driver assigned to transport the truck deeper into Gaza refused to carry out the mission. The officer then allegedly brought the Israeli civilian back into Gaza to complete the delivery.
“The civilian drove the truck further into the Gaza Strip and remained there for several days, until he was extracted with the assistance of the parties involved in the smuggling,” the indictment said.
Prosecutors noted that the civilian was eventually returned to Israel “with the assistance of a soldier whose details are unknown to the prosecution.”
Officer Knew Goods Would Reach Hamas
As The Press Service of Israel has previously reported, Hamas has managed to maintain its grip on Gaza by stealing and taxing humanitarian aid.
According to the charges, the officer knew the goods were entering Gaza without authorization or oversight and understood they could reach terrorist groups operating in the territory, including Hamas.
“The officer carried out these acts knowing that the goods were being brought into the Gaza Strip without authorization and without supervision, and that they could reach terror organizations, including Hamas, and assist their activities,” prosecutors wrote.
The indictment further alleged that the officer “knew, or turned a blind eye to the possibility, that bringing an Israeli civilian into the Gaza Strip could also assist the enemy,” including the risk that the civilian could be abducted while inside Gaza.
In a joint statement, the IDF, Shin Bet, and Israel Police said they viewed smuggling into Gaza as a severe national security threat, particularly when military personnel are involved.
“The IDF, the Shin Bet, and the Israel Police view the phenomenon of smuggling into the Gaza Strip gravely, as it poses a risk to national security in general, and especially in cases where IDF personnel in regular or reserve service are involved,” the statement said.
The case is the latest in a series of alleged smuggling operations linked to Gaza. Earlier this month, another IDF officer with the rank of lieutenant was indicted for allegedly smuggling contraband into Gaza in exchange for millions of shekels.
In February, prosecutors charged 15 suspects, including IDF reservists, in a separate alleged smuggling network accused of trafficking goods into Gaza. Investigators said that case was linked to the Israel Security chief’s brother, Bezalel Zini, the brother of Shin Bet chief David Zini, who allegedly used his reserve service in Gaza to assist cigarette smuggling operations.
Israel and Egypt have maintained restrictions on Gaza to prevent weapons smuggling since Hamas seized control of the territory in 2007.
