IDF major indicted for smuggling contraband into Gaza, says military

An officer with the rank of major in the IDF has been indicted for smuggling contraband into Gaza as well as bringing an Israeli civilian into the Strip, the military announces.

The officer was arrested by the Shin Bet security agency several months ago, and yesterday, military prosecutors charged him with several offenses, including aiding the enemy, taking bribes, and smuggling goods under aggravated circumstances.

According to the indictment, on January 10, the officer led a truck into the Gaza Strip containing mobile phones, cigarettes, car batteries, electric bicycles, laptop computers, network routers — all of which Israel currently bans from entering Gaza — with a total value of millions of shekels. The officer had arranged the smuggling with several Israeli civilians, against whom indictments were filed at the Haifa Magistrate’s Court.

The truck had been driven by an Israeli civilian, while the officer traveled ahead of him in a military vehicle.

The indictment says 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.”

After crossing the border, the civilian left the truck in the Gaza Strip and returned to Israel with the officer. At a later time, the officer brought the civilian again into Gaza “to complete the transfer of the goods.”

“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,” according to the indictment.

Prosecutors say that 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.”

The indictment also states 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.”

The investigation was carried out jointly by the Shin Bet, Israel Police, Military Police and Israel Tax Authority.

“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,” a joint statement says.