There is a growing phenomenon of Israelis smuggling goods into Gaza in recent months, Channel 12 news reports, showing footage in which an Israeli shows the outlet where he hid cartons of cigarettes in rubble for Gazans living near the border to pick up.
Much of the smuggled goods comes on aid trucks, according to the report, which shows additional footage of hidden compartments in aid trucks holding cigarettes, iPhones and even electric bikes. The goods end up contributing to Hamas coffers in Gaza, says Channel 12.
The Gazans involved in the smuggling transfer money to West Bank associates, who then send it abroad before it is moved to money transfer agents in Israel. One of the Israeli smugglers was found with NIS 700,000 in cash.
Attempts to smuggle contraband into Gaza using aid trucks are expected to rise, security officials said this morning, noting that Israel had so far mainly foiled attempts to bring in cigarettes and other tobacco products, as well as some prohibited agricultural products.
There has been no known attempt to smuggle weapons into Gaza using the aid trucks, according to Israeli security officials.
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Thursday, January 29, 2026
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