From the Liveblog of
Monday, February 2, 2026
Judge extends detention of relative of Shin Bet chief suspected in Gaza smuggling case
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A judge has extended the detention of a relative of Shin Bet chief David Zini, who is being held over suspicions that he helped traffic goods into Gaza as part of a far-reaching smuggling ring, Hebrew outlets report.
His detention is extended by one day.
He is one of more than a dozen individuals detained on suspicion of exploiting their roles in the army to smuggle prohibited items from Israel into the enclave. They allegedly trafficked hundreds of thousands of shekels’ worth of goods.
Alongside Zini’s relative, the Ashkelon Magistrate’s Court also extends the detention of two other suspects in the case.
Police are requesting that the court order two more days of custody for an additional 13 suspects, after a postponement on filing charges. Indictments were expected today, but have since been pushed off, according to reports.
The Ashkelon Magistrate’s Court issued a statement last week revealing that one of the suspects in the case is Zini’s relative, but stressed that the Shin Bet chief has no connection to the alleged scandal.
Nevertheless, Zini has been barred from involvement in the case following an emergency meeting on the matter led by Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, Haaretz reports.
The Shin Bet has played a major role in the case and is responsible for interrogating all suspects implicated in the alleged smuggling, save for Zini’s relative, who has instead been interrogated by police.
The Times of Israel Community.