Police probing suspected large-scale Israeli smuggling ring into Gaza, court reveals
‘Affair involving many individuals’ linked to goods trafficking is under investigation, police say; Shin Bet chief’s father defends suspects, calls probe ‘a filthy lie’
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Police revealed Monday that they are investigating a large-scale smuggling network responsible for trafficking goods into Gaza, after the Ashkelon Magistrate’s Court partially lifted a gag order.
Judges pulled back the curtain on the probe’s existence following a closed-door hearing in the courtroom that morning.
“At the present time, an affair involving many individuals is being investigated regarding the smuggling of goods from Israel into Gaza,” police said in a statement after the hearing.
The court barred the publication of any further details, including anything that could identify the suspects. The gag order is in place until February 10.
The Haaretznews outlet has filed a petition urging the court to allow the publication of additional details.
The smuggling ring is being probed by the Shin Bet and the Southern District police’s investigative unit, but the case is said to implicate officials in Israel’s security establishment, according to Hebrew reports.
Shin Bet chief David Zini’s father, Rabbi Yosef Zini, posted in a closed social media group Sunday that “there is no doubt that it is all a filthy lie,” in an apparent reference to the smuggling affair.
“Even if they bring video, pictures as supposed evidence, there is no doubt that it is all fabricated in order to harm the ‘suspect’ and his family,” he said, according to Channel 12 News. “Everyone who believes this story is on the verge of helping to spill the blood of righteous people!”
The Times of Israel Community.