Israeli authorities have arrested Bezalel Zini, the brother of David Zini, who heads Israel’s domestic intelligence service Shin Bet, in connection with a smuggling operation that transported prohibited goods into the Gaza Strip during the Israel-Hamas conflict, prosecutors and court documents show. The case has sparked intense scrutiny due to the family connection to the nation’s top security official.
Accused Smuggling Cigarettes and Other Goods
According to the indictment filed in an Israeli court, Bezalel Zini allegedly smuggled 14 crates of cigarettes — reportedly valued at about 365,000 Israeli shekels (approximately ₹1.05 crore) — into the Gaza Strip through the Sufa crossing on multiple occasions during the war, earning tens of thousands of dollars from the illicit sales.
Prosecutors say Zini was part of a broader smuggling network that transported banned items including cigarettes, iPhones, batteries, telecommunications cables and car parts into the besieged Palestinian territory, at a time when Israel had severely limited the entry of goods into Gaza due to security considerations.
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Serious Charges Including “Assisting the Enemy”
Israeli authorities have charged Zini and several co-accused with multiple offences, including:
- Assisting the enemy during wartime
- Performing transactions in property for terrorist purposes
- Obtaining property by fraud under aggravated circumstances
- Taking bribes
Prosecutors allege that the smuggled goods, particularly tobacco and cigarettes, could reach militant groups in Gaza — including Hamas — and strengthen their economic resilience by generating revenue through resale within the territory.
The justice ministry’s statement described the operation as part of a “serious case of organised, systematic and sophisticated smuggling”, noting that hundreds of millions of shekels have flowed into Gaza’s black-market economy as a result of such activities.
How the Smuggling Allegedly Took Place
Bezalel Zini, a military reservist and logistician with access to Gaza through permits tied to the Uriah Force — a unit that transports demolition and engineering equipment — is accused of exploiting his position and permits to move contraband concealed within legitimate shipments.
Prosecutors say that on at least three occasions, Zini and others misled soldiers at border crossings, presenting false pretences that the goods were part of authorized military or security operations while concealing prohibited items meant for “commercial gain”.
Several other individuals, including Israeli army reservists and civilians, have also been indicted in connection with the smuggling ring.
Legal and Security Implications
Those charged in the case face severe penalties under Israeli law — including potential life imprisonment or the death penalty for offences related to assisting the enemy during wartime — reflecting the gravity with which authorities view smuggling operations conducted during active conflict.
Israeli authorities have stressed that David Zini, the Shin Bet chief, is not implicated in the case and that the investigation was handled by police, not the security service, to avoid any conflict of interest. Zini’s lawyer has denied the allegations against Bezalel and maintained his client’s innocence in court statements.
The case also underscores concerns about corruption, misuse of military access and challenges in enforcing border controls amid wartime constraints, especially as humanitarian conditions remain dire in the Gaza Strip despite ceasefire arrangements.
About the author – Rehan Khan is a law student and legal journalist with a keen interest in cybercrime, digital fraud, and emerging technology laws. He writes on the intersection of law, cybersecurity, and online safety, focusing on developments that impact individuals and institutions in India.
