From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Israel says it’s halting some UNICEF aid shipments after smuggling attempt detected
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleEmanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Israel is suspending some aid shipments to Gaza that are coordinated by UNICEF, after an attempt to smuggle tobacco and nicotine products into the Strip.
The Defense Ministry Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories says that during an inspection earlier today of a Gaza-destined and UNICEF-coordinated truck, that had originated from Egypt, security officers located “bottles containing nicotine substances were found concealed inside cartons of hygiene kits.”
COGAT chief Maj. Gen. Yoram Halevi then “informed the head of UNICEF of the suspension of aid shipments to the Gaza Strip originating from Egypt and coordinated by the agency,” the Defense Ministry body says.
A letter sent to UNICEF head Jonathan Veitch, Halevi says: “In light of what we assess as a breach in control mechanisms, as well as ongoing attempts by hostile elements to exploit humanitarian assistance channels — including the apparent misuse of UNICEF operations for the smuggling of tobacco products to hostile actors within the Gaza Strip — I have decided, at this stage, to suspend the entry of UNICEF aid shipments originating from Egypt.”
“This measure will remain in effect until the completion of a thorough and comprehensive investigation conducted by your organization,” Halevi adds.
The Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories, Major General Yoram Halevi, informed the head of UNICEF of the suspension of aid shipments to the Gaza Strip originating from Egypt and coordinated by the agency, following the thwarting of an attempted smuggling of… pic.twitter.com/wY4T8qrf02
— COGAT (@cogatonline) March 17, 2026
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