Smuggling

Netherlands returns 3,500-year-old sculpture stolen from Egypt during Arab Spring

Egypt requested that the artifact be returned under the 1970 UNESCO Convention, which both it and the Netherlands are beholden to. 

Dutch Education, Culture and Science Gouke Moes and the Egyptian Ambassador to the Netherlands during the formal handover ceremony of the stolen scultpure at the Egyptian embassy in the Hague, February 8, 2026.
IDF, Israel Police seize 12 pistols after intercepting a drone attempting to smuggle the guns over the Jordan border, February 8, 2026.

IDF, police intercept drone carrying 12 pistols from Jordan

Iranian parliament members chant in support of the IRGC while wearing military uniforms in Tehran, Iran, February 1, 2026.

Iran's IRGC seizes two vessels in Persian Gulf, Elias Rodriguez indicted

Bezalel Zini, accused of smuggling cigarettes into the Gaza Strip, is seen on a screen at the Beersheba District Court, February 5, 2026

Shin Bet chief's brother indicted for aiding Hamas during wartime in Gaza smuggling case


'Systematic, sophisticated operation': How millions of goods were smuggled into Gaza - explainer

According to the Southern District Attorney’s Office, this was an “organized, systematic, and sophisticated smuggling operation of various goods into the Gaza Strip in exchange for financial gain.”

Two suspects arrested after smuggling 80,000 cigarettes disguised as tissues.

Cost of cigarettes in Gaza skyrockets to NIS 100 amid smuggling operation scandal - report

"Sometimes the cost reaches thousands of shekels," a source told Walla, explaining that the skyrocketing cost is due to decreased supply and high demand. 

 CIGARETTES ON display at a convenience store in Safed carry warnings that smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke and other harm to smokers and their children.

Millions given to Gaza, Hamas: Twelve indicted in Gaza smuggling operation

The accused are believed to have been responsible for smuggling millions of shekels' worth of goods into Gaza for Hamas, both while the Gaza war was still ongoing and after the ceasefire began. 

HUNDREDS OF packets of cigarettes being smuggled.

Brother of Shin Bet chief David Zini suspected of smuggling cigarettes into Gaza

David Zini's father, Rabbi Yosef Zini, claimed that authorities' true target is not brother Bezalel, but the Shin Bet chief himself: "Most of the public understands this well."

Bezalel Zini, brother of Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) chief David Zini, suspected of smuggling cigarettes into Gaza, February 3, 2026.

IDF to increase Gaza border security due to smuggling risks

IDF officials identified Hamas’s struggle in Gaza, after more than two years of war have left it without stocks of standard explosives, to obtain weapons as well as additional equipment.

Israeli Authorities Probe Large-Scale Smuggling Network Moving Goods Into Gaza

Police seize hundreds of ancient, counterfeit coins in east Jerusalem antiquities raid

The collection, hidden in a flowerpot on the suspect's balcony, included coins from the Hasmonean, Herodian, and Roman periods, the IAA said.

Ancient and counterfeit coins seized by Israel Antiquities Authority in East Jeruusalem raid, February 2, 2026.

Why the Rafah crossing reopening is a critical test for Gaza’s ceasefire - analysis

“After months of a ceasefire and demands from humanitarian organizations to open it without obstacles, Israel will beginthe process of partially reopening the Rafah crossing," Al-Ain media reported.

Trucks carrying humanitarian aid line up near the Rafah border crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, in Rafah, Egypt, August 13, 2025.

Police probe Shin Bet chief's relative in smuggling of goods from Israel to Gaza

The court stressed that there is no indication that the Shin Bet head himself is implicated in the alleged wrongdoing.

Shin Bet director David Zini participates in the state memorial ceremony for the October 7 massacre on Mount Herzl, in Jerusalem, October 16, 2025

Israel Police confirms investigation into large-scale smuggling network moving goods into Gaza

The court allowed the limited disclosure following a closed-door hearing, though details identifying suspects remain under strict restriction until February 10.

Israeli Authorities Probe Large-Scale Smuggling Network Moving Goods Into Gaza

Smugglers caught with one million shekels' worth of goods, possibly meant for Gaza Strip

Among the items were around seven hundred cellphones, flat irons, shaving machines, and hundreds of cigarette packets.

HUNDREDS OF packets of cigarettes being smuggled.